World War II veterans honored for their service

Not all veterans can make it to the annual Veterans Day parade.

That’s why senior living communities like The Palmerton bring the ceremonies right to the veterans.

“It hits home. I do appreciate it,” said Clarence Patterson, a veteran who served in the Air Force from 1943-46.

On Monday, The Palmerton honored its 15 military veterans with a Veterans Day ceremony.

They gathered to sing patriotic songs, eat cake and receive praise from state Rep. Doyle Heffley and the Rev. Glenn Rarick.

“I think too many times we forget about those who paid the price for us. They come back, and they’re just overlooked,” Rarick said.

This year is the third time that the community has held a veterans day ceremony for its residents. Andrea Humanick, community enrichment director for The Palmerton, said it is especially important to honor veterans of World War II before we are no longer able to.

“Of all the events we put on here, this is my absolute favorite,” she said.

Humanick enjoys spending time with her residents, especially the veterans. For more than a decade she has gotten to speak with the veterans and hear their stories.

“Veterans helped shape who I am, they molded me,” she said.

Patterson said that the ceremony was educational because not all the residents know each other, or that they once served in the military.

It helps them to get to know each other.

His mind was also with friends who are now deceased who also deserve Veterans Day honors.

Veterans like William McQuillen — who served in the Navy, and John Doll, an Army veteran who fought the Japanese in the country of Burma, said they appreciate the honor provided by their community.

Heffley said it was an honor to hear stories from veterans about their service, and thanked them for the sacrifices they made.

“Many of them served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. But whether they served in a time of war or a time of peace, they all sacrificed for the country,” Heffley said.