Originally known as Decoration Day, this holiday originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

SATURDAY

The Lycoming County Memorial Day Service is held rain or shine at 11 a.m. on Saturday with a tent available should the weather not be cooperative, according to co-sponsors Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park Commission and the Lycoming County Veterans Council Inc.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent In preparation for the Memorial Day holiday, scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

The service is held at the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park, at West Fourth Street and Wahoo Drive, where there are monuments marking wars from the Revolutionary War through the present day.

The council and commission have invited U.S. Army Ret. Col. Jack H. Jacobs, frequently seen contributing his expertise on NBC and MSNBC news, to be the guest speaker. A Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Jacobs is a Vietnam War combat veteran.

Jacobs, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, was a first lieutenant and infantryman, who distinguished himself while serving as assistant battalion adviser, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam, according to the biography.

With the command element of the lead company, Jacobs called for and directed air strikes on the enemy positions to facilitate a renewed attack.

Due to the intensity of the enemy fire and heavy casualties to the command group, including the company commander, the attack stopped and the friendly troops became disorganized.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent In preparation for the Memorial Day holiday, scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

His gallant actions and extraordinary heroism saved the lives of one U.S. adviser and 13 allied soldiers.

The park, meanwhile, has become a showpiece for the county’s veterans and their families and friends who visit it.

The next monument under development to be added will be for those who received the Purple Heart, dedicated to those in defense of the nation. The monument will be a tribute to those wounded in combat and awarded the nation’s oldest military decoration, the Purple Heart, and will be located between the Submarine memorial and the World War I monument.

In order to fund the installation of this monument donations continue to be sought. With a donation of $150 the donor will get a 4×8 brick with three lines of text that will be placed in the section of walk by the Purple Heart Monument to indicate their support for the monument.

The park leadership has a Facebook site and can be emailed with questions at lycoveteranspark@gmail.com.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent In preparation for the Memorial Day holiday, scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

There are a variety of events scattered throughout the Greater Williamsport area during the holiday weekend including parades, services and ceremonies.

SUNDAY

Sonestown:

A service at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery with a guest speaker, Darlene Fenton. A luncheon at noon at the Sonestown Legion for band and Legion members.

Nordmont:

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent In preparation for the Memorial Day holiday, scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

A service at 2 p.m. at the Cherry Grove Cemetery with a guest speaker. A ham dinner will take place before the service at the Nordmont Community Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Picture Rocks:

A parade at 1:30 p.m. sponsored by the Picture Rocks Lions Club. The parade will begin at the Baptist Church and proceed to the Picture Rocks Cemetery, where the service will start as soon as everyone assembles. In case of rain, there will be no parade and the service will be held in the Baptist Church. Guest speaker is U.S. Air Force Ret. Gene Otterbein.

Millville:

A parade at 12:30 p.m. followed by a ceremony in the Millville Cemetery about 1 p.m.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent In preparation for the Memorial Day holiday, scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

MONDAY

Hughesville:

A parade at 9 a.m. which goes from Hughesville Fire Co. and ends at Hughesville High School, then rejoins at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m. for a Memorial Day ceremony with a guest speaker.

Montgomery:

A parade at 9 a.m. which starts at the Bower Decker American Legion on Broad Street and runs down Broad Street to the Municipal Park for the Memorial Day Service, where there will be a gathering at the Montgomery Legion afterwards.

Williamsport:

A 9 a.m. traditional ceremony to honor the soldiers and sailors who preserved the nation’s union in the Civil War will be held at the GAR Circle in Wildwood Cemetery, according to Wayne Sager, Acting First Sergeant, 11th Pennsylvania. During the ceremony, a cannon will be fired, and the audience will be asked to participate by decorating the veterans’ graves with flowers. Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs if desired and to please not park around the GAR Circle.

Montoursville:

A service at 10 a.m. will be held at the Montoursville Cemetery with guest speaker Ret. Army National Guard Chieu Le. Afterwards, light refreshments will be served at the Montoursville American Legion Post 104.

Muncy:

A parade will occur 11 a.m. The parade forms at Mechanic Street at the Uni-Mart. The Muncy High School Indians Marching Band will provide music under the direction of Mike Buck. The parade forms at Mechanic Street at the Uni-Mart. Expect to see the VFW Post 3428 Color Guard to lead the parade and their Honor Guard will render services at the cemetery. After the parade and ceremonies, both 268 and posts 3428 will be providing light refreshments for parade participants. Major General Patrick L. Gaydon will serve as the ceremony’s keynote speaker for the event sponsored, in part, by the Roland H. Ritter American Legion Post 268. Gaydon grew up in Muncy and graduated from Muncy High School in 1990. After high school, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1994 and receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. Gaydon currently serves as the Director of the Joint Futures Cross-Functional Team on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. Throughout his career in the U.S. Army, Gaydon has served in both command and staff positions. He has spent over eight years commanding formations at the battery, battalion, and brigade levels. He has numerous military awards and decorations to include in the defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze star Medal. He is married to the former Samantha Pasco, of Spokane, Washington, and they have one son. Post Commander Steve Haefner said Gaydon will serve as parade grand marshal and keynote speaker at the Muncy Cemetery, immediately following the parade. Other dignitaries expected to be in attendance will be state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, who is expected to give remarks; state Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township; Muncy Borough Mayor Jon Ort and Edward ZJ. Smith Muncy VFW Post 3428 Commander Jim Krum.

Salladasburg:

A parade at 11 a.m. Participants typically include patriotic floats or decorated vehicles, antique cars and tractors, kids on decorated bicycles, riding horses, Scout troops, Little League teams and Military service members. Those that want to be part of the parade should be in line on Dochter Street before 10:45 a.m. The parade will be led by the Jersey Shore Area High School Marching Band and will also include fire engines from both Jersey Shore fire companies. Immediately following the parade there will be a ceremony to honor the local veterans. The ceremony will take place in the Salladasburg United Methodist Church parking lot. The National Anthem will be sung by Keith Barrows. Pastor Cecily Eisley will be doing the invocation. Dr. Daniel Glunk will recite Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and then the roll call of the veterans will be read by Mayor Douglas Ellsworth, followed by Taps and a 21 gun salute by The Jersey Shore Honor Guard.

Veterans Ride Cruises on the Hiawatha:

Susquehanna State Park. Celebrate Memorial Day on the Hiawatha. Veterans ride free. Ride times are 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Wren Waldman, daughter of Brian Waldman and Rachal Clark, joined scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 to place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Huntley Bragunier joined other scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 to place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent In preparation for the Memorial Day holiday, scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.

RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Huntley Bragunier joined other scouts from Montoursville's Cub Scout Pack 21 and Boy Scout Troop 21 to place flags on the graves of veterans on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Montoursville Cemetery.