Mahanoy City veterans plan Memorial Day festivities

April 19--MAHANOY CITY -- Veterans in Mahanoy City are actively planning the 2015 Memorial Day Parade and other festivities associated with it.

In conjunction with the parade and planning involved, the Mahanoy City United Veterans reorganized under a new name -- the Mahanoy Area United Veterans Parade and Program Committee.

Officers of the newly formed committee are David Bickowski, president; John Wiekrykas Jr., vice president; Mary Zelonis, secretary; and John L. Deesing Sr., finance officer.

Also participating in planning event will be Ray Miller, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1420, Mahanoy City, and Francis Burke, a borough councilman who will serve as parade grand marshal chairman.

Zelonis, a past commander of the Mahanoy City American Legion Post 74 and a past American Legion vice commander, said that reorganizing will allow veterans who are not members of the VFW or American Legion posts to participate.

She said there are specific requirements for each of the respective organizations, requirements that some veterans may not be able to attain.

"We want this to be open to any veteran in Mahanoy City, this is our community and their community as well," she said.

She said that by reorganizing as a committee it is the hope of members that more veterans will become active, younger veterans in particular.

"I'm looking to the future where we can attract not only new members but younger members as well," she said. "That's where the future is."

The group already as the 2015 Memorial Day festivities outlined.

Zelonis said the annual Mahanoy City Memorial Day Parade is planned to start at 11 a.m.May 25 and include bands, marching units, emergency vehicles, civic organizations and dignitaries.

But that is only the tip of the iceberg for festivities the committee has planned.

Zelonis said that on May 24, activities are planned throughout the day.

She said the events will start at 10 a.m. with a service at the First Congregational Church in Mahanoy City, followed immediately by a memorial service at the Civil War Memorial inside the German Protestant Cemetery.

At 1:30 p.m., a concert featuring patriotic music will be presented by the Upper Schuylkill Marching Band at Veteran's Memorial Park, Catawissa and Centre streets, followed by the annual Memorial Day Service at 2 p.m.

Zelonis said the public is invited to all of the events and take part in honoring the men and women that served the United States in the armed services.

"The plans are made and we are hoping to make this a memorable day for all of our veterans and their families," she said.

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