Organized on Sunday, March 21, 1965, at the Shoemaker-Haydt Lehighton American Legion Post 314, over 190 men came together to form the Korean Last Man’s Club. Three months later, on June 12 those veterans held their first banquet.

On June 19, 2021, they once again congregated at the same place to commemorate 56 years of memories.

The group is noticeably smaller, with only 20 members still living, but the pride and patriotism was stronger than ever.

Club President Arlington Everett led the evening which included a happy hour, appetizers, dinner, toasts to the living and to the dead, keynote and guest speakers, along with fellowship.

Vice President Willard Doll introduced keynote speaker, Carbon County Commissioner and retired Army Col. Chris Lukasevich, who addressed the men with honor and admiration.

Maggie Lukasevich, who accompanied husband Chris to the dinner, had a special bond with the veterans. She shared with the attendees that she spent a year deployed in South Korea and experienced firsthand the aftermath of the impact of the Korean conflict as well as America’s presence there.

Legion Adjutant Kevin “Spike” Long thanked the men for their service. Club Chaplain Lamont Ebbert led the prayers.

Secretary-Treasurer Leroy Goldberg extended thanks to the Lehighton Orioles Nest 183 and Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1 Social Quarters for their generous monetary donations which assists in continuing this cherished tradition.

This year’s annual banquet was a first of sorts, as the veterans were accompanied by a guest. A private club, deep with tradition, has always been for the members only.

However, as most of these veterans are in or nearing their 90s, they felt it fitting to invite the women and/or children who have been by their sides and heard all the stories throughout the years.

The pride could been seen on all faces that night.

Sadly, the group, who couldn’t meet in 2020 due to the pandemic, had to toast eight brothers who have departed since 2019. They were honored by a toast to the dead, given by Henry Bisbing. Recently passed members include Dale Koons, Darryl Nicholson, Aladore Lorah, James Wentz, Randolph Rabenold, Robert Schoch, Jack Hoffman and Richard Semmel.

In toasting the living, led by Ronald Kane, the men glanced around the room, locked eyes, shared stories of growing up in Lehighton, of being deployed together and hoping that they, God-willing, will all be able to meet again next year.