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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

The last full measure

Published June 02. 2026 02:12PM
by Dana Grubb Special to the Bethlehem Press

A light rain on Memorial Day morning canceled the traditional parade on Linden Street and moved the service indoors to Liberty High School’s Memorial Gymnasium. TAPS over Bethlehem continued as planned with 60 participants, and finished with the massed buglers gathered to play in the gym.

Drawing hundreds to Memorial Gym the Memorial Day service emphasized the solemnity of the day because of the sacrifices on many Americans who served our nation in the military.

Attendees were treated to the TAPS buglers under the direction of Ralph Brodt III, who featured a performance of the U.S. Navy Hymn, ‘Eternal Father’. Brodt, who also played TAPS at the conclusion of the service also joined three other buglers on ‘This is My Country’.

Alana Rader, granddaughter of TAPS over Bethlehem founder Dan Deysher, a World War II veteran, sang the words to TAPS

Quoting Abraham Lincoln remembrance service emcee US Marine Bob Corvino intoned the sacrifices made by many Americans who gave “the last full measure of their devotion.”

Scouts from Troops 3193 and 318, Dani Glaser, Mackensie Fairbearn and Cooper Snyder did the readings of ‘The Gettysburg Address’, ‘Band of Brothers’. and ‘Flanders Field’.

Both the American Legion Band and Liberty High School Grenadier Band provided patriotic music interspersed throughout the program.

Featured speakers were PA Rep. Steve Samuelson and City Council President Rachel Leon. “We gather today in solemn tribute to those who lost their lives in service to our nation,” said Samuelson.

Leon, a U.S. Navy veteran, relating her first hand experiences of loss citing the death of US Marine Lance Corporal Christopher Rangel in 2010 during Operation Enduring Freedom. She noted that sometimes the battle continues for those who return home with the emotional scars of combat via PTSD, and cited the untimely death of Mitchel Andrews who served in the U.S. Army and passed away in 2022.

The American Legion Post 379 rifle squad fired a 21 gun salute followed by Brodt playing “Taps” to conclude the service.

“We owe everything to the sacrifices of our veterans,” says State Rep. Steve Samuelson.
Dani Glaser from Troop 3193 reads from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Bethlehem City Council President Rachel Leon reminds attendees that for some veterans the battle continues when they return home suffering from PTSD.
Mackensie Fairbearn from Troop 3193 reads from ‘Band of Brothers’.
PRESS PHOTOS BY DANA GRUBBBagpipers from the Liberty HS Grenadier Band perform ‘Amazing Grace.’
“In Flanders Field” reads Cooper Snyder from Troop 318.
The Bethlehem Municipal Band performed several patriotic songs.
Members of the American Legion Post 379 rifle squad fire a 21 gun salute.
In his first year role, Bethlehem resident and US Marine Bob Corvino conducts the Memorial Day service.
Alana Rader, granddaughter of Taps Over Bethlehem founder and World War II veteran Dan Deysher, sings “Taps” before the service.