Nesquehoning service honors those who made ultimate sacrifice
Members of the Nesquehoning United Veterans Organization honor guard stand at attention during a memorial service in front of one of the veterans memorials along Catawissa Street in the borough. From left, are Mark Kattner, Robert Paul, Bruce Nalesnik and Cheri Santore. See a photo gallery of Nesquehoning’s Memorial Day service and parade at tnonline.com. AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS
Poppy Queen Josephine Simchak and Poppy King Hayden Matula take a break from selling poppies before Nesquehoning’s Memorial Day service on Monday.
Staff Sgt. John Hampson, the main speaker for the Nesquehoning Memorial Day service, addresses the crowd on Monday.
Nine-month-old Kaylee Kane of Nesquehoning enjoys her first Memorial Day parade in Nesquehoning on Monday.
It takes a special person to commit their life to serve this country and put themselves in harm’s way.
These brave men and women who do all possess the same qualities: courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication and integrity. Some make it home, while others make the ultimate sacrifice.
On Monday, the Nesquehoning VFW Post 8008, Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion; family members and friends gathered to honor their fallen brethren during a parade and service in the borough.
The event kicked off with a parade before ending at the VFW Post 8008 home for the main service.
As everyone gathered at the VFW, Donato DeMarco, master of ceremonies, welcomed the crowd as Poppy Queen Josephine Simchak and Poppy King Hayden Matula sold poppies.
The main speaker, Staff Sgt. John Hampson, who served during the war in Iraq, spoke about the cost freedom takes to gain and keep.
“Today we remember the things that bring us together — family, friends and liberty,” he said. “We have to appreciate the lives we are free to live today because of the sacrifice that has been laid down before.
“Several generations have done the deed of fighting for the thing they love most — family.”
He spoke of other reasons many men and women chose to defend our country, including hope for future generations, equality, love and the desire to live freely.
“They lost their lives for the sake of another to live,” Hampson said.
Other speakers included Robert Paul, president of the Nesquehoning United Veterans Organization and commander of the Vietnam Veterans of Carbon County; Robert Feinsilber, commander of American Legion Post 172; Christa Kattner, president of the VFW Post 8008 Ladies Auxiliary; Nesquehoning Mayor Sam Kitchko; and Richard Ellis, commander of the Nesquehoning VFW. Panther Valley students Amanda Fegley, Rachel Strohl and Julia Planutis read Logan’s General Order, the Gettysburg Address and “In Flanders Field.”
Theodore Dacey, chaplain of the VFW, read the roll call of the 27 veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day.
On Sunday, the Nesquehoning UVO also participated in a prayer and gun salute at the outlying cemeteries in the borough.
