Easton observes Memorial Day

Easton's annual Memorial Day Parade went off without a hitch Monday, and after a rather soggy weekend, the weather cooperated beautifully. Crowds lined the streets, as the parade made its approach to the free bridge for a brief joint service in the middle with Phillipsburg NJ. From there it was back to the Centre Square for a rememberance of Easton's very own, led by Joe Cuvo, president of the Veterans Memorial Day Counil of the Easton Area, who acted as master of cermonies for the final event.

Were you there? Well, then, you may just find yourself here...



Children scramble for candy thrown by Suburban EMTs.


  

While some seem to regard Memorial Day weekend as little more than three days off from work, clearly, these folks know its real meaning and hold it dear to their hearts.



Members of the Easton Police Department, including Chief Carl Scalzo, left, look on as the crowd makes its way to Scott Park for a joint rememberance service with Phillipburg NJ.





 

City Controller Tony Bassil attended the event, along with...



Pennsylvania State Representative Bob Freeman, right, with Joe Cuvo, president of the Veterans Memorial Day Council of the Easton Area.

Easton City Councilman Roger Ruggles, with Mayor Sal Panto.



The Easton Area High School Rover Marching Band heads back to Centre Square.





Easton Area High School senior Jennifer Estevez sings the national anthem.
She also sang Amazing Grace later in the program.





Easton Area High School junior Nick DeNunzio reads the Gettysburg Address.




A local Boy Scout places flowers on the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument in Centre Square.





Four Easton Blue Star Mothers, whose sons are currently serving in the military, at the Memorial Day event on the Centre Square. They later placed the wreath before the rifle salute.



One of two buglers from the EAHS Rover Marching Band that played 'Taps and Echo' prior to the final benediction.

Though nearly 149 years old, these words written by Abraham Lincoln from the Gettysburg Address still seem relevant today:

It is for us, the living...to be dedicated here to the unfinished work, which they who fought...have thus far so nobly advanced, it is rather for us to be here dedication to the task remaining before us; that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve: that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the face of the Earth.