People in one part of Schuylkill County gathered the Sunday before Memorial Day to honor local soldiers and their families who sacrificed so much for our country.
The annual Memorial Day service was held Sunday afternoon in Coaldale, near Tamaqua. Dozens of people from the community gathered for some very special dedications.
Patriotic music filled the streets of Coaldale as people throughout the community came to remember and honor area veterans.
"Faith, family, duty, committment, heroism and honor. We are indebted to all those veterans, especially those who have lost their lives defending our freedom," said Coaldale Mayor Claire Remington.
Many came to the service as a way to say thank you to the men and women in uniform for all their selfless service.
"There's been a lot of sacrifices. Men and women in the military have been sacrificing for a long period of time and a lot of them gave their lives in doing so," said retired Commander Tony Konecny with the United States Navy.
A special plaque was dedicated to the area's Gold Star Mothers whose sons and daughters paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Mary Nesterak is the last living Gold Star Mother in Coaldale. Her son, Army Captain Norman Nesterak, was killed in Vietnam in 1969. "I think our Normie would be very happy to see this. He was such a good boy," said Nesterak.
"It's a wonderful feeling to know that they don't forget us and what our sons did," added Ann Adams of Jim Thorpe. She is a Gold Star Mother with family ties to Coaldale. She lost her son, Army Sergeant A.J. Baddick, six years ago in Iraq.
"A.J. received the Soldier's Medal. He jumped into a canal and rescued another soldier from the Kentucky National Guard."
Adams said it feels good knowing she has the support of the community.
"Overwhelming," she said. "I was just down in D.C. yesterday. My son is buried at Arlington, but we made sure we made it back here."
Adams came to be with all those gathered in Coaldale, paying tribute to local heroes.
"Remembering those who have fallen is the sole reason Memorial Day exists," said Mayor Remington.
The service in Coaldale also included the dedication of a mural honoring women who served in Vietnam.
The annual Memorial Day service was held Sunday afternoon in Coaldale, near Tamaqua. Dozens of people from the community gathered for some very special dedications.
Patriotic music filled the streets of Coaldale as people throughout the community came to remember and honor area veterans.
"Faith, family, duty, committment, heroism and honor. We are indebted to all those veterans, especially those who have lost their lives defending our freedom," said Coaldale Mayor Claire Remington.
Many came to the service as a way to say thank you to the men and women in uniform for all their selfless service.
"There's been a lot of sacrifices. Men and women in the military have been sacrificing for a long period of time and a lot of them gave their lives in doing so," said retired Commander Tony Konecny with the United States Navy.
A special plaque was dedicated to the area's Gold Star Mothers whose sons and daughters paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Mary Nesterak is the last living Gold Star Mother in Coaldale. Her son, Army Captain Norman Nesterak, was killed in Vietnam in 1969. "I think our Normie would be very happy to see this. He was such a good boy," said Nesterak.
"It's a wonderful feeling to know that they don't forget us and what our sons did," added Ann Adams of Jim Thorpe. She is a Gold Star Mother with family ties to Coaldale. She lost her son, Army Sergeant A.J. Baddick, six years ago in Iraq.
"A.J. received the Soldier's Medal. He jumped into a canal and rescued another soldier from the Kentucky National Guard."
Adams said it feels good knowing she has the support of the community.
"Overwhelming," she said. "I was just down in D.C. yesterday. My son is buried at Arlington, but we made sure we made it back here."
Adams came to be with all those gathered in Coaldale, paying tribute to local heroes.
"Remembering those who have fallen is the sole reason Memorial Day exists," said Mayor Remington.
The service in Coaldale also included the dedication of a mural honoring women who served in Vietnam.
