For the Northwestern community, this year’s Memorial Day observance had a decidedly personal feel without relying on parades or fanfare.

Peeks of sunshine over Ontelaunee Park assured visitors that the weekend’s soggy weather was finally over as the program got underway.

Flags fluttered lightly, lining the path from the Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial to the pavilion where Lt. (junior grade) Zachary R. Eckhart was honored in the opening ceremony.

Eckhart and three other officers were killed on April 12, 2010, when his plane crashed in northern Georgia.

Eckhart was an Eagle Scout and a Northwestern alum who attended Virgina Tech on a four-year NROTC scholarship.

“He was quite an accomplished young man,” said Mary Warfel, summarizing the feelings of many in the audience.

Rear Admiral (lower half) David Keller honored Eckhart and his parents, fulfilling the true purpose of the day.

The first national observance of what would become Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868 when it was known as Decoration Day.

After the Civil War ended, Americans were urged to decorate soldiers’ graves with springtime’s “choicest” blooms.

May 30 would be “designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.”

The first Decoration Day took place at Arlington National Cemetery where graves were marked with flowers and a small American flag.

That history was not lost on the Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial Committee who hosted the events.

Visitors strolled through Ontelaunee’s memorial, stopping to read the names engraved on the panels and speaking in muted tones.

At 3 p.m., a Memorial Day America250 Concert capped off the observance with Allentown’s Pioneer Band providing “An American Celebration.”

Conductor Robert Billig led the band.

He introduced each selection with background information that added depth to the percussive and patriotic music.

“I liked that before hearing each piece, we got a little bit of history,” said Thea De Acetis as she walked through the memorial with her family.

Each selection evoked a particular time in American history from a medley of songs dating back to the American Revolution to a tribute honoring the firefighters that responded on 9/11.

“Each of our concerts has a theme, children, jazz, pop and patriotic,” Billig explained.

Four concerts are scheduled for this summer and will be held at West Park in Allentown.

“The Pioneer Band played here 15 years ago when they dedicated the band shell,” said Billig who retired from the Northwestern Lehigh School District in 2011.

Billig invited the crowd to join him singing several of the patriotic song.

He also acknowledged each of the service branches.

”We like coming to this park, especially for Memorial Day observance,” Joseph De Acetis said. “It’s a place that’s so well kept and comfortable.”

“I liked that I saw some young people’s faces, and not just old timers,” Bill Hankee said.

“Listening to this music just makes me feel good,” added his wife, Chris.

The Northwestern Lehigh Veterans Memorial committee is hoping to add a stone wall around the existing memorial so that 900 additional names can be inscribed.

About half of the funds for this project have already been raised.

The committee welcomes donations for the enhancement.

Donors may visit nwlehighvetsmemorial.org.

The committee is also sponsoring a hometown heroes banner program to honor those of the Northwestern Lehigh School District who are currently serving or have served in the Armed Services.

The service member’s likeness is printed on a vinyl banner measuring 30 inches x 60 inches that can be displayed in whatever township is selected.