One of the most profound speeches in American history was delivered by Abraham Lincoln as he honored the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg. Right here in our own state, one of the most critical battles in the Civil War was fought, and a few months later President Lincoln gave a speech that contained just 272 words to dedicate a cemetery as the final resting place for those who fought and died there.

Another Memorial Day has come and gone, but may we never forget that the beauty of our day-to-day lives are possible only because our nation has always been blessed with individuals who were willing to shed their lifeblood so that freedom could be preserved. Some have their names carved on tombstones and memorials, others lie beneath stones that are simply marked, “Unknown”, forever lost to the pages of history. Some volunteered, some were drafted. Some left for battle with cheers and good wishes, others were scorned and spat upon. Some of them left the earth instantly, and others spent days in agony. Some were older who got a chance to experience many years of adulthood, some were barely beyond childhood. Some died in deserts, some died in jungles, some died under the ocean, some died in the sky, some died thousands of miles away, and some died close to home. One thing that they all had in common was that their sacrifice mattered. We are recipients of a profound gift that we can never repay.

Congratulations are sent to Curtis Preitz, Jr., who graduated from Pennsylvania College of Technology and received the Robert G. Thomas Award. The honor is given to graduates who earned the highest cumulative average in welding. Preitz graduated with a degree in welding technology.

Wishes for a very happy birthday are sent to Silas Heasley, who will be turning four on June 6th.

THOT “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Abraham Lincoln

Montgomery events:

Fri. June 3 the Montgomery Area High School will have graduation in the field house starting at 7 p.m.

Mon. June 6 at 9 a.m. The Summer Alive program will begin and the program will run Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from June 6th until July 15th. Sign up will take place under the pavilion at Montgomery Park.

Weds. June 8 The Montgomery Area Public Library will begin its Summer Reading program at 2:00 p.m.. The first event will be a sports craft and a reading of “Chunky Cheetahs” by Danita Evans.