Clarks Summit VFW Post 7069 Commander Don Jones gives an introduction to the Veteran’s Day ceremony.
Ben Freda | For the Abington Journal
VFW Post 7069 hosts annual ceremony
Clarks Green Council members Bill Toms, left, and MJ Igoe give a wreath to the Clarks Summit VFW Post 7069.
Ben Freda | For the Abington Journal
State Representative Bridget Malloy Kosierowski thanks the veterans for their service.
Ben Freda | For the Abington Journal
Ben Freda | For the Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT – Rain forced the annual Clarks Summit VFW Post 7069 Veterans Day ceremon inside on Nov. 11, but it couldn’t stop it.
After an introduction by Post 7069 Commander Don Jones, VFW Patrick Williams then read an invocation acknowledging the departed “brothers and sisters” who served their country.
“We honor them for their loyalty to God and our country,” he said. “We thank them for their good deeds and their friendship. May the good work you have begun in them be brought to perfection through us aided by your grace.”
Veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Corps stood up and saluted as their branches were called out by Jones during a playing of the U.S. Armed Forces Medley on the radio.
Jones recited a brief history about Armistice Day, which was first observed on Nov. 11, 1921, at Arlington National Cemetery. He said it was marked by the burial of an unknown soldier of World War I.
“(Nearly) 100 years later, we still gather on Veterans Day to reflect on those who have fought to preserve the freedoms in everyday America enjoys and thousands of men and women in our military again,” he said. “Taking up arms against the enemy is a way of life.”
Jones encouraged people to think about the awareness and responsibility of our country and to remember the generations who fought before us.
“It is our veterans who have sacrificed and paid the highest price for all of us.”
Jones introduced state Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski, who showed gratitude to the veterans for their services.
“This is a wonderful day to remember all of your services that you’ve done so we can live the lives that we get to live today,” she said. “Your service is our environment, what we do here, and how we get to live today, we should always remember.”
After a moment of silence to the song Taps, Post 7069 vice commander/district chaplain John Wettstein read I Am A Veteran written by a retired U.S. Army colonel. U.S. Army veteran Mike Rogan sang “God Bless the USA.” Junior vice commander/membership chairman John Arre honored the POWs and MIAs by reading “Least We Forget the Empty Chair.”
Clarks Green Council members gave a wreath to the members of the post.
