It wasn’t a long ceremony. By the clock, under an hour. But the crowd stayed. They stayed to honor their loved ones, friends, community members and brothers-in-arms. They stayed to offer respect and comfort to those left behind. They stayed to remember.

The fourth annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial was a bittersweet reminder that some gave all, but all gave some. This was especially poignant, as LCPL Brandon Van Parys was honored as his name was added to the War on Terror panel of the monument.

“It’s not just today,” said Tammy Van Parys, Brandon’s mother about remembering and honoring her son. “It’s whenever I see someone in the community, or school or from church. They tell me my son had a heart for service.”

Gold Star Parents Alan and Tammy Van Parys also received a framed photo of their son in his dress blues and a black granite headstone with Brandon’s name inscribed.

“We’re touched,” Alan said. “This all means so much to us.”

The flag was lowered to half-staff by local Boy Scout Troop 86. The monument with its 12 panels is guarded by an impressive eagle named Freedom. Touring the area were veterans and active duty members as well as families.

“We come here because this was important to my father, so I’m continuing the tradition,” said Alyssa Metzger.

Families like the Zappes (Kiona, daughter Zoe and mother, Nora) also believed in the tradition of honoring the fallen.

“I’m still active,” said Army Major Kiona Zappe Shirk. “It’s important to be here. We can always take a moment to remember the amazing men and women who fought for our country.”

The memorial can be visited year round. Special ceremonies are held Memorial Day and Veterans Day. For more information, including an audio tour of the monument visit: https://nwlehighvetsmemorial.org/.