Schuylkill County Memorial Day Parades / Celebrations 2009

We have over a dozen local parades and celebrations this weekend in Schuylkill County. Here's a roundup of some of them, gathered from the local newspaper and other sources:

SOUTHERN SCHUYLKILL

AUBURN — Memorial Day parade, 9:30 a.m. Monday, forms at VFW. Program follows at Memorial with guest speaker, Honorable James R. Ferrier. In event of rain, parade canceled and service held at 10 a.m., Auburn Church of God.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Veterans of the Vietnam War Post 29 Schuylkill County will hold their Memorial Day service at 1 p.m. Monday at the Schuylkill County Vietnam Memorial on Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven (in front of Penn State Schuylkill). Gary Hess, mayor of Schuylkill Haven, will be the keynote speaker.

CENTRAL SCHUYLKILL

BRANCH TOWNSHIP — Memorial Day parade, 8 a.m. Monday. Outdoor ceremony at Llewelyn Elementary School following parade, main speaker Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Jordan. In event of rain, parade will be canceled, celebration held at school’s auditorium. Second ceremony, 10 a.m., Friedens Lutheran Church. Following service, ceremony at Phoenix Park.

MINERSVILLE — Memorial Day parade, 9 a.m. Monday, followed by ceremonies at Veterans Memorial, South Fourth Street. Memorial Day remembrance, 6 p.m. May 30, Union Cemetery, South Fifth Street. Wreath will be laid at grave of Capt. Robert Lawrence of the Civil War. Please bring lawn chairs. PALO ALTO — Memorial Day services, 1 p.m. Sunday, at monument.

PORT CARBON — Memorial Day church service, 6 p.m., Sunday, St. Stephen Catholic Church, Valley Street. Annual parade starts 9 a.m. Monday. Service following parade at Port Carbon Library/Veterans Memorial Park, Pike Street.

POTTSVILLE — Pottsville Joint Veterans Council 114th annual Memorial Day parade, 10 a.m. Monday, forms on West Market, between 12th and 14th streets. Program will follow in Garfield Square with keynote speaker, Col. Kurt Ryan.

SCHOENTOWN — Memorial Day services, 2 p.m. Monday, Vietnam Veterans Joseph C. Cappella Memorial Home. George Acaley will receive award from U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, D-17.

NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL

FRACKVILLE — Memorial Day parade, 9:30 a.m. Monday, M&T Bank, South Lehigh Avenue and Arch streets. Program at Veterans’ Monument, Spring Street at Frackville Memorial Park. Guest speaker Attorney Christine Holman.

GIRARDVILLE — Memorial Day parade, 9 a.m. Monday, services at Veterans Memorial, Third and Ogden streets. Keynote address by Cmdr. Bill Gower, special guest Maj. James R. Bittner. In event of rain, services at American Legion, 122 W. Main St.

MAHANOY CITY — Memorial Day church service, 10 a.m. Sunday, First Congregational Church, 701 E. Centre St. Memorial Day program, 2 p.m. Sunday, Veterans Memorial and M60-A3 tank, located at Centre and Catawissa streets. Keynote speaker is state Sen. David Argall, R-29. Annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, forming at the Mahanoy Area School Complex at 10:30 a.m.

RINGTOWN — Memorial Day service, 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Old White Church. Guest speaker Gen. Dean Ertwine, U.S. Army, retired. SAINT CLAIR — Memorial Day service, 1 p.m. Sunday, cafetorium of Saint Clair Elementary/Middle School. Main speaker is Mark Atkinson, Navy 1st Class Petty Officer, a veteran of Iraqi Freedom.

SHENANDOAH — Memorial services, 9 a.m. Sunday, First Baptist Church, Oak and West streets. Memorial Day parade begins 9 a.m. Monday in front of Phoenix Fire Company. Keynote address presented by Schuylkill County Commissioner Francis McAndrew.

WESTERN SCHUYLKILL

TREMONT — Memorial Day program, 1 p.m. Sunday, Robert P. Wiscount Veterans’ Memorial Park, Main Street. Sponsored by Tremont Community Organization. Call 695-2199 or 695-3792. Parade begins 10:45 a.m. Monday at West Laurel and South Pine streets. Program 11:15 a.m. at Reformed/Lutheran Cemetery with speaker Thomas Symons. In event of rain, program will be held in Tremont Borough Building at 10 a.m.