Ford City Memorial Service Continuing Sunday
Servicemen march along 5th Avenue and 1000 block near the Eagles Club in Ford City during a mid-to-late 1940’s Memorial Day parade when patriotism was at an all time high! (Photo courtesy of Bill Oleksak, Sr.)
by Jonathan Weaver
An ongoing Ford City Memorial Eve Candlelight Service will continue this Sunday, May 24.
King Lion and Event Chairman Brad Baillie said it will be the 65th annual event held in Ford City Park along 4th Avenue.
“I don’t know of any other place that does this,” Baillie said. “It’s something strange we continue to do for 65 years. Some towns honor veterans with a parade - we have a candlelight service.”
Baillie, who said he was never fortunate enough to serve, recalled sitting at his house when speaker-wire was run across the town.
“You could hear the echo of them performing the service in the park,” Baillie remembered.
Baillie’s uncle, John (also of Ford City), served during World War II.
“As long as I’m a Lion, there will be a Memorial Day service,” Baillie said. “It’s my gift to him.”
Pastor Corey Grywinski, of First Church of Ford City (the former Presbyterian church), will be the keynote speaker. Dr. James Nemec spoke last year.
Street lights will be turned off and residents are urged to light candles on their porch, in a sense of nostalgia according to Mayor Marc Mantini.
“In the old days, flags were flown and almost every house had a candle. I hope this year we’re prepared and that the good citizens of the community remember the soldiers overseas and those who have died that make this country the great country it is – fly your flag and light your candle in memory of these people,” Mantini said in the past.
Veterans who served and are currently in the Armstrong County Legion Honor Guard will also demonstrate a 21 Gun Salute.
Ford City Pack 670 Cub Scouts will also assist Lions.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Ralph Fahlor, of West Kittanning, is part of the Honor Guard and served from 1972-92 - both active duty and in the Reserves.
“We go throughout the county - we’re all from different branches” Fahlor said.
Fahlor’s father and uncles also served in the military, as does Fahlor’s son, Paul - currently stationed in the U.S. Navy at the Naval Intelligence Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“People need to pay (respects) to the men and women who served and died serving their country - but, less and less people come every year.”
This year, the Lions Club teamed up with WTYM AM 1380 radio to broadcast the service live. A member described the plan.
“So we thought it would be great to set portable radios on their porch. And what they do is all the street lights are extinguished. It is one of the only towns around where you can shut the street lights off. It is a somber occasion with the candles. There are not as many candles as it used to be but I believe it is because the people just haven’t been able to hear and don’t even know it is going on. But now with the radio, if at least one person on the block will turn their radio up outside, then you could hear what’s going on in the park.”
The ceremony can also be heard via a simulcast from WTYM on Family-Life TV. The service will begin at 10PM and last approximately 45 minutes.
By Jane_PA, May 21, 2015 @ 10:37 AM
So happy that this tradition continues. It makes me proud to be from Ford City. Please remember our troops who are currently serving around the world.
By Just sayin, May 26, 2015 @ 6:45 PM
Even though reminders were put on Ford City water bills for all to turn off their lights during this time, some residents did not do so. (This included a council member who was not born here.) To be a member of the community, please follow our traditions. Well, it didn’t matter much anyway. The street lights remained on and you couldn’t hear much. Very disappointing for a service I hold near and dear to my heart each year. Thank God I watched the National Memorial Concert on PBS that honors our servicemen and women.
By bob, May 29, 2015 @ 12:24 AM
@ Just sayin,
This service is definitely not the same as I remember growing up. Traffic was not allowed into the town during the service, all streetlights were turned off, residents lights were turned off, candles were lit, and people sat outside to listen to the service over loudspeakers. This past service we counted over 10 cars drive past, several houses with lights on, streetlights left on, only a handful of houses with candles lit. On a good note we were able to hear the service at our house.
By Just sayin, May 29, 2015 @ 11:59 PM
Maybe the residents should have been texted or notified by Facebook to turn off their lights! Seems that’s the only way most people get their information these days (or the only way they pay attention to messages). A few people were rude long ago, too, concerning cars driving through the borough. Someone always managed to be oppositional. I still miss those days… the echoing of Taps and the gun salute…it was almost like the whole town prayed or meditated together for a while. Such a unique and beautiful experience, it was.