By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

In observance of Memorial Day, members of the community and local veterans groups will hold ceremonies this month to remember and honor those men and women who lost their lives in service of their country in the Armed Forces.

Events At Pennsauken High School, Local Cemeteries

To gain a true understanding of Memorial Day, students at Pennsauken High School will be holding a wreath laying ceremony on Thursday, May 18, at the Veterans Memorial on the school’s grounds. Dedicated in October of last year, the memorial pays tribute to over a dozen Pennsauken residents who went off to war and never came home: Terrence P. Allen, Thomas L. Busch, III, John S. DiBenedetto, Michael Egan, James M. Esposito, Matthew J. Henkel Jr., Joseph L. Hesson, III, Frank J. Kohlmyer, Thomas C Miller, Maria I. Ortiz, Richard Patterson, Elmer R. Pease, Jr., Anthony Piersanti, Jr., Harold Russo, and John Edward Tipton.

American Legion F.W. Grigg Post 68 will be placing American flags on the graves of veterans buried in Bethel Cemetery, 1620 Cove Rd., Pennsauken, on Saturday, May 20, at 8:00 a.m. The public is invited to join in this effort. Members of the community will gather at the flag pole at the entrance directly across from High St. Approximately 1,000 flags will be placed on graves that have an indication of military service. Sturdy shoes and a pair of work gloves are recommended.

Also on May 20 at 9:00 a.m., veterans and members of the community will gather at VFW Post 1270, 2324 Penn St., Pennsauken, and then proceed to Arlington Park Cemetery, 1620 Cove Rd., Pennsauken, where they will place American flags on the graves of veterans buried there. The public is invited to attend.

Ceremonies On Memorial Day Weekend

VFW Post 1270, located at 2324 Penn St. in Pennsauken, right off of Rt. 130 and Cove Rd., will hold its wreath laying ceremony on Sunday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony begins at the VFW Post, then moves to Liberty Park, located on the corner of Merchantville and Westfield avenues.

AMVETS Post 101, located at 519 June Rd. in Delair, will hold its ceremony on Monday, May 29 at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony begins at the post, then moves to the World War II/Korean War memorial, located on River Rd.

F.W. Grigg Post 68 will hold its annual Memorial Day service on Monday, May 29 at Wellwood Park, located at Linden and Maple avenues in Merchantville. The service will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.

Local Boy and Girl Scout units will present the colors. Additionally, local organizations will place memorial wreaths on the WWI and WWII Memorial Monuments. Light refreshments will be provided after the service. The public is invited to attend.

In the event of rain, the service will be held at the Merchantville Community Center, 212 Somerset Ave. Merchantville.