CLARKS SUMMIT - Clutching an American flag in one hand, 6-year-old Elizabeth Henkels pulled a peppermint patty from her basket and handed it to a Clarks Summit veteran.
"Peppermint Patties are my favorite candy, but I wanted to share today," she said on Monday. "I wanted to thank him."
Across Lackawanna County on Monday, organizations held parades, wreath-layings, prayers and other ceremonies in honor of the Memorial Day holiday.
Dozens of people clad in red, white and blue straddled the concrete barriers along the West Grove Street bridge in Clarks Summit, snapping pictures, taking video and applauding as veterans cruised by.
Children lined the sidewalks on State Street. Some held miniature American flags and waved, others scampered for pieces of candy tossed by people in the parade.
Organized by the Abington Memorial VFW Post 7069, the annual parade featured organizations from the Abington Heights Civic League to the Abington Heights High School's marching band.
"We got back from performing at Disney World at about 2 a.m., but we weren't going to miss this," said Rebecca Hetzel, a director. "It's our chance to honor the veterans, especially those in the Abingtons."
While tapping his shillelagh against the pavement, Dominic Scott adjusted his VFW cap and looked up at the bright blue sky, smiling.
"It's never rained on my parade," said the Korean War Veteran and parade's chairman. "Today's an opportunity, community-wide, to recognize those who have served and those who continue to serve."
At Nay Aug Park in Scranton, veterans and community members sat in lawn chairs and listened to Veteran Todd O'Malley, a retired major with the U.S. Army, describe the difficulties some face in suffering from post-traumatic-stress disorder.
"Every single day, 22 veterans will end their own life," said Mr. O'Malley at the VFW Post 25 and city of Scranton's Memorial Day service. "It's not enough to honor our veterans on this day alone. Honor them every day."
The service also included a 21-gun salute, flag-raising and patriotic music.
Scranton resident Ramona Brown still remembers writing letters to service members during World War II. The letters, filled with passion and emotion, helped her forge a relationship with her late-husband, Sgt. Stanley Brown, she said.
Now, she will write them to her grandson, who just enrolled in the Navy.
"Today means a lot to me because I understand how much veterans sacrifice for us," Ms. Brown said.
At Forest Hills Cemetery in Dunmore, dozens of people dressed in Victorian-era outfits and listened to a rendition of the Gettysburg Address.
Clad in a navy blue wool coat, white leather gloves and a gold belt, John Hart portrayed Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott in Monday's "Decoration Day Ceremonies."
Organized by the Delaney Delacy Guard and the Confederation of Union Generals, the ceremony was meant to reintroduce the orders that established Memorial Day, such Gen. John Logan's Order 11.
"They best way to bring history to the forefront is to relive it," Mr. Hart said.
U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright delivered the principle address, and a rifle salute followed the wreath-laying.
There were also Memorial Day parades planned in Dalton, Dupont and many other towns, including the American Legion Post 610 Memorial Day Parade in Mayfield and the Old Forge American Legion Post 513 and VFW Post 4954 parade.
Other holiday services included the Carbondale Memorial Committee Day ceremony, Dickson City Veterans Organizations Memorial Day Program and Raymond Henry American Legion Post 327 Memorial Day services in Olyphant.
Contact the writer: miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter