Lansdale Loved Ones Saluted at Memorial Day Ceremonies

They live on, etched in stone at Memorial Park and outside Penndale Middle School.

Lansdale's fallen war heroes also live on in the remembrances that occur, like at the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony Monday morning, hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 32, Virgilio-Schembri-Battavio Post No. 23 and American Legion William Hare Post No. 206.

North Penn High School Key Club remembered North Penn School District alumni who lost their lives in major wars and conflcits as well at its ceremony on Monday morning at Penndale Middle School.

The Memorial Park ceremony, emceed by Lansdale Fire Marshal Jay Daveler, featured the North Penn and Ambler chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., according to The Reporter.

The North Penn Key Club ceremony is an annual event at the corner of Penn Street and Church Road in Lansdale that grows in numbers each year.

"Every year, we salute our fallen heroes who were North Penn High School graduates. The North Penn Key Club and I put together a program, with the help of Mr. Bob Gillmer and all the students in our Key Club, which is over 400 students," said advisor Linda Law.

Like every year, the garden area at the memorial was revamped, courtesy of The Rhoads Garden in Upper Gwynedd and Wilson's Hardware in Lansdale.

"This year, we took down some trees that needed to be replaced," Law said. "Hopefully, in the very near future, we'll be putting up some new trees."

A new stone was placed at the site about two years ago to recognize more graduates that died in conflicts.

"This year was our largest group of people coming. There was at least 105 people here this year," Law said. "For many years, we had maybe 20 or 30. This year, we had a good group and a lot of family members here."

Betty Miller, of Upper Gwynedd, comes every year to honor her son, Robin B. Miller, who died in Vietnam in 1969. 

"She is very dedicated," said Law.

A relative of fallen hero Barry Molettiere was also present at the event. Fallen Lansdale son David Weigner's brother was there as well, Law said.

"The Holliday family is normally here, and I have a close heart with Andrew Phillips," Law said. "He was in Vietnam with my brother and graduated with my brother in the Class of 1969."

Law said it means a lot to the families and the community to keep the memorial and ceremony going.

"Hopefully, when I'm not around anymore, someone else will continue to do it," she said.

Please view our photo gallery for moments from Monday's events.

Make a note: American Legion Post 933 in Hatfield Township is hosting The Vietnam Veteran’s Moving Wall from June 27 to July 1. The Post is at 2100 Koffel Road.