Friends, family, and fellow service members came together to honor those who served at The Palmerton on Friday afternoon.

The retirement community, which counts at least 17 service members as residents, held a special ceremony organized by director of activities Andrea Humanick and activities coordinator Ashley Sutton.

“Thank you for gathering here with us today to honor and pay tribute to all of the men and women who fought so bravely to defend our country. We are extremely proud of our veterans here at The Palmerton. No words can describe the heartfelt gratitude that we have for them,” Humanick said at the introduction.

Speakers at the event included state Rep. Doyle Heffley; William Gallagher, United Veterans Organization/American Legion Post 269/VFW Post 7134; and Marine veteran and director of maintenance Michael Henegan. Lehighton UVO chaplain John Stefanik and Carl Bush, who hosts a Bible study at The Palmerton, conducted prayers.

“I was here to speak today on behalf of our organization for those folks at The Palmerton, and honor the veterans that were here today,” Gallagher said. “I enjoyed the whole presentation. We had patriotic songs by a local entertainer, we had a nice speech by Doyle Heffley, we had an ex-Marine who works as a maintenance man here, and a gentleman that presented a nice religious psalm. It was a nice program all around, and I think everybody enjoyed it.”

Henegan read the poignant John McCrae poem, “In Flanders Fields,” for the crowd.

Easton musician Claude “Shep” Shappelle played each military branch’s song on an American flag-emblazoned acoustic guitar in honor of the veterans in attendance. As the notes of each tune were plucked, one could see tears streaming from the eyes of that branch’s servicemen and women.

Shappelle later played a selection of patriotic tunes, which veterans and residents happily sang along to.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that they’re doing here,” Shappelle said. “And I truly believe that we tend to forget the sacrifices that were made, and we take for granted all the freedoms that we have. We should remind ourselves daily, not just on the Fourth of July or Memorial Day or Veterans Day, these people that we should be thankful for.”

As Humanick and Sutton read off the name and branch of each veteran resident, Heffley presented each one with a certificate of appreciation from the state’s House of Representatives.

“It was wonderful,” Navy veteran Charles Strohl said of the presentation. “The certificates, that was great.”

Strohl also said that he felt “better” when he heard the Navy song.

Following a few more tunes from Shappelle, including the closing selection “God Bless America,” the crowd dispersed for refreshments in the common area.

“On Veterans Day, people throughout the country gather together to remember, honor and show gratitude toward all the servicemen and women who have served our country,” Humanick said in closing. “Our gathering here today is just one small spark of the flame of pride that burns across the nation. It’s not a lot, but it’s our way of honoring the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in freedom.”

Veterans at The Palmerton:

Art Berger, Army

Latimer Eckhart, Army

Carlin Haydt, Army

Stephena Kurtz, Army

David Partenio, Army

Delphin Moyer, Army

Allen Schenkenberger, Army

Andrew Sayuk, Army

Ralph Fritz, Army and Navy

Clarence Patterson, Air Force

Frank Fique, Air Force

Ernest Rehrig, Navy

Eldon Roberts, Navy

Blaise Schweibinz, Navy

Charles Strohl, Navy

William Summers, Navy

Austin Teates, Navy