Since beginning in the 1800s, Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church congregants and Lehigh Valley supporters paused for the 137th year to remember those who served and died in defense of the United States of America.

This year’s remembrance began noon May 25 when the stars and stripes were raised from half-staff to full-staff at the veterans memorial near the church’s historic cemetery at 3441 Devonshire Road in Salisbury Township.

Members of the church’s honor guard and the Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum Corps led a procession through the old and new portions of the cemetery as followers placed flowers at the graves of loved ones.

A tolling of the church’s bells memorialized church members who served in the country’s armed forces and died in service to their country.

Bethlehem soloist Evelyn Stewart sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” with participants joining in at the grove located near the church.

Vietnam combat veteran Sgt. John Kukitz, of Allentown was the day’s keynote speaker. He talked briefly of his experiences in Vietnam, but urged the audience to remember the importance of honoring service veterans during the country’s 250th birthday observances.

“I see Memorial Day, and July Fourth not as holidays, but as remembrance days, to honor those who stood up for the freedoms we enjoy during the semi-quincentennial of American Independence,” Kukitz said.

He called on all the day’s participants to enjoy the powerful rights this country offers, by voting, by speaking up and by fighting for freedoms when called upon to do so, even when “it’s not easy to do.”