Memorial Day was observed in Northampton, Monday, with two long-standing traditions.

A service in the morning was held at Allen Union Cemetery, followed later in the day by the Northampton Joint Veterans Association program at the upgraded memorial plaza. Both services were well attended and filled with music and a solemn salute to veterans, many who gave their lives for the freedoms enjoyed by those left behind.

With its mantra, "Resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain," Allen Union Cemetery paid homage to the veterans with a fitting program, a well received response by the people present for the early 8:30 a.m. service.

From Main Street, near Fourth, refrains of the Tri-Community Marching Band were heard as they led M Company, Sons of Union Veterans Reserve of the Civil War, onto the cemetery grounds, past grave sites as small American flags fluttered at the final resting place of the veterans.

Welcomed by Larry Oberly, Tri-Community Marching Band opened with the selection "Nearer, My God to Thee." The hymn "Battle Hymn of the Republic" echoed across the expansive grounds as those assembled sang. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was read by a son of a veteran as well.

Ed Pany delivering the main address mentioning the wars the country fought, including the men and women of the borough, the French-Indian conflict, Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and more recently Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pany cited names of townsmen whose legacy continues, such as John Siegfried of the Civil War, Fred A. Snyder, the first Northampton man who died in a World War I battle, Revolutionary War soldiers and more recent veterans from the borough.

Gene Kutzler played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as the ceremony came to a close.

The Northampton Joint Veterans Association event, its theme "Never Forget, Ever Honor," began with a parade which formed on Main Street, near the Roxy Theatre. The annual ritual included the Northampton Area High School Big N Marching Band, veterans groups from Northampton and Egypt in the line of march, Civil Air Patrol Composite Squad, borough fire department and Scouts. They wound their way to the 11 a.m. Memorial Day Service at the memorial plaza, Washington and Dewey avenues at East 14th Street.

Held by Catholic War Veterans Post 454, Northampton; Fred A. Snyder American Legion Post 353, Northampton; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4714, Northampton; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7293, the uniformed veterans organization lined the memorial plaza. People in the hundreds packed sidewalks and porches on both sides of the memorial plaza for the riveting Memorial Day service.

With the raising of the service flags, Pam Henninger opened the service singing the national anthem. Catholic War Veterans Chaplain Mongsignor William Baver gave the invocation and benediction when the program ended. VFW Post 4714 Commander Larry Schflittler gave the welcoming address.

An emotional MIA and POW presentation was made by CWV Commander Bruce Shellock. A small white cloth covered a table along with an empty chair with a single rose in a vase in an inverted glass, all symbolizing veterans no longer alive, brought tears to some individual's eyes.

The NAHS band performed a patriotic selection at the special ceremony. "Honoring the Dead" placed four veterans at the base of the American flag pole. The flag flown at half staff was later raised in the program.

Shots punctuated the air as the joint veterans firing squads conducted the Salute to the Dead. Bugler John Schneck played taps, as the American flag was raised, billowing gently from its high perch.

Also, Gene Kuzler, Walt Hafner and Tim Kutz played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes as church bells from the nearby Holy Trinity Lutheran Slovak Church rang out.

The large crowd that lined the sidewalks Monday on both sides of the Northampton Joint Veterans Association Memorial Plaza fell into silence as the veteran groups stood at attention. The program came to a close with bugler John Schcneck playing taps.