Residents, Officials Applaud Lansdale Memorial Day Ceremony

Lansdale Fire Marshal Jay Daveler is doing something right.

The emcee and organizer of the annual Memorial Day ceremony was lauded by borough Manager Timi Kirchner at Tuesday's Lansdale town hall session at the parks and recreation building.

"He takes it down to the last detail, including being at the (American) Legion Post ahead of time and after too," she said.

Councilwoman Mary Fuller, who moderates the town hall session, said Daveler has "got everything written out" in meticulous detail. One resident suggested Daveler train a replacement should he not be able to do it anymore.

"I think he prints the same parade and event list every year," Fuller said. "Although I agree he should have somebody in training, he keeps pretty good records."

Fuller, who wears many hats in the borough and on various nonprofits, would strongly consider being that replacement. 

Her connection to the Memorial Day ceremony is strong—her grandfather, Leonard Petro, is one of the names memorialized at the display at Memorial Park.

"It was a nice day. They tied everything together really well," she said.

Resident Nancy Frei was surprised that more veterans were not at the ceremony or in the parade.

A few residents agreed that these days, the words "war" and "conflict" are defined differently, and as such, it affects the statuses of veterans. For instance, the Korean War is referred to as a "police action" not a war, said resident Rich Frei.

Resident Jean Fritz thought the raising of the American flag was very moving.

"There was no Pledge. That's the only thing that surprised me," she said. 

Kirchner said the event was more for the remembrance of the people and not so much the flag. 

"Instead of honoring the flag, we were honoring vets," she said.

Fuller said the whole program was run wonderfully. 

She likened the event to a Penndale Middle School Memorial Day assembly held this week, at which she was a guest speaker.

When you have a group of 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds, you don't always expect them to understand solemnness, but they were fantastic," she said.

Resident Bob Willi never knew there was an annual ceremony held at Penndale Middle School at the North Penn High School Key Club memorial.

Councilman Jason Van Dame reminded the town hall that a benefit for Gold Star Mothers will be held at the headquarters of Blue Comet Motorcycle Club in Skippack on June 9.

The Lansdale Hero Walk also returns June 8 to downtown Lansdale. Read more about it here.