In one of the last of the veteran-themed memorials and celebrations of the 2024 season in the Lehigh Valley, veterans helped Wreaths Across America conduct an event at the Fountain Hill Cemetery on Graham Street Dec. 14.

Bitter cold kept attendees and participants stamping their feet and moving about to generate some body heat. Most were warmly dressed. A blue sky and bright sun brought mostly imaginary heat.

They were there to reconsecrate the graves of veterans buried in the hillside cemetery by laying an evergreen wreath at each veteran’s grave marker and saying the veteran’s name.

The Lehigh Valley Sea Cadets, a group of students from various high schools, lent a military feel to the event.

The American Heritage Girls of the Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Bethlehem Troop PAO 465, led by Stephanie Schnable, attended. The girls helped lay the wreaths.

Kirk and Sara McFadden said they have participated in the ceremony for the past nine years. They placed a wreath at the grave of a veteran. Sara said they would later render honors at the gravesite of Revolutionary War soldiers on First Avenue in Bethlehem.

The ceremony was short, consisting of a prayer and the reading of “Flanders Field” by a student.

Bethlehem Detachment 284 of the Marine Corps League provided a color guard led by Senior Vice Commandant George Borman III of Schnecksville, and including Commandant Glenn Rader and Judge Advocate Chuck Zhou-Philips from Orefield.

A row of white wooden crosses was set up along an access road transversing the cemetery. Members of the audience volunteered to place wreaths in honor on each of the Armed Services. A cross also represented those veterans who have died by suicide.

One of the girls from the American Heritage Girls also accompanied each wreath to the designated cross.

At the conclusion of the ceremony attendees were invited to take a wreath from the boxes along the paved path and walk out into the cemetery to place the wreath on the gravestone or the marker of a veteran.

“Please say the veteran’s name when you lay the wreath,” said the moderator from the gazebo overlooking the grounds.

The event was organized by Ronald Frankenfield of the Wreaths Across America organization.

Several earlier events also paid tribute the area veterans.

On Nov. 10, the Bethlehem Det. 284, MCL and Lehigh Valley Detachment 296, MCLof Emmaus jointly sponsored a celebration at the United States Marine Corps’ 249th birthday at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown.

It was organized by Bethlehem Detachment 284 member Past Commandant Carl Schroeder and past Adjutant Roz Schroeder. This annual event was attended by about 75 veterans and their families.

The national anthem was sung by Pam Hittinger. The message from former Commandants of the U.S. Marine Corps and WWI hero General John Lejuene was read aloud by William Stoudt, Commandant of Lehigh Valley Detachment 296.

Capt. David Vargas, Commanding Officer of Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division headquartered on Postal Road, read the annual message from the current commandant of the Marine Corps, General Eric M. Smith.

“I’m proud to stand alongside each of you, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our Corps.” Smith said in his message. “When I travel to visit Marines here at home and deployed around the globe, I find absolute confidence that this generation of Marines has what it takes to uphold our Corps’ legacy and prevail in any conflict we face. Happy Birthday, Marines.”

Joe Malia of MCL Lehigh Valley Detachment 296 closed with a prayer.

After the ceremony the Marines present were invited to go to the Cetronia Social Hall on Scenic Street to cut the traditional birthday cake.

The next day, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Traditions at Hanover on Northgate Drive in Bethlehem hosted a Veterans Day Breakfast.

Singer John Bauer entertained. PA State Rep. Steve Samuelson attended.

Brief remarks were offered by U.S. Marine Verteran Ronald Glazier and U.S. Marine Sgt. Jordianna Brill.

Military Honors were provided by the honor guard of American Legion Post 379. “Taps” was played by Brent Hepner.