Nesquehoning VFW presents awards for Loyalty Day
Ted Dacey, chaplain of the Nesquehoning VFW Post, presents a special award to his granddaughter, Emma Dacey, 10, during the Loyalty Day program at the VFW Post. Dacey was honored for helping the Post honor departed veterans. Behind them are Richard Ellis, commander of the VFW Post, and Christa Kattner, VFW auxiliary president. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Henry Desrosiers, right, director of Veterans Affairs in Carbon County, speaks during the Loyalty Day Program at the Nesquehoning VFW Post. At left is Post Commander Richard Ellis.
The Nesquehoning VFW Post presented awards during the annual Loyalty Day program at the post.
This marks the 60th anniversary of Loyalty Day, which former President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed to be “a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom.”
The Nesquehoning Post is the only VFW organization in northeastern Pennsylvania which observes Loyalty Day, according to Carbon County Director of Veterans Affairs Henry Desrosiers.
Recipients are:
• Matthew DeHart, regular member.
• Melissa Hascher, auxiliary member.
• Robert Siesputowski, veteran social.
• Anthony Paul, electrician, business award.
• Emma Dacey, special award.
Dacey, age 10, received her plaque from her grandfather, Ted Dacey, who is chaplain of the Post.
She is the daughter of Ted Dacey Jr. and Lori Dacey and is a student in Nesquehoning Intermediate School.
Post Commander Richard Ellis said Emma received the award because “she helped us for years honor our departed veterans.”
Present for the presentation was Emma’s sister, Christina, a Panther Valley High School senior who was given the same award when she was 10 years old.
Desrosiers said he moved to Carbon County from Connecticut in 2003 after retiring from a police department. He said he was drawn to Carbon County because his wife “is from East Mauch Chunk.”
Byron Miller, VFW District 20 Commander, said, “Loyalty Day is a celebration of America and everything America stands for.”
Also offering comments were Guyette Calles, president of VFW Auxiliary District 20; Christa Kattner, president of the Nesquehoning VFW auxiliary, and Nesquehoning Mayor Sam Kitchko.
Mayor Kitchko said he would like to see Loyalty Day celebrated in our schools. He said, “This is important. This is important to our country.”
