Like many people, retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey is ready to trade in sitting behind a computer screen for a return to normal life. And while the Palmerton native appreciates the justification for the cancellation of many annual events and celebrations, some traditions, like Veterans Day, he said, should not be forgotten.

“Celebrating the occasion of what Veterans Day means to us as a nation is extremely important,” Dailey told a crowd gathered in Jim Thorpe’s Josiah White Park Tuesday afternoon for the Carbon County Veterans Day ceremony. “Veterans Day is a great time to remember our freedom isn’t a coincidence. It isn’t happenstance. I assure you it is not guaranteed. Our freedom is protected by the men and women in our armed services.”

Dailey enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1989 and attended basic training and advanced individual training as an 11B (infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia. During his career, he held every enlisted leadership position in the mechanized infantry, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander to command sergeant major.

Sworn in as the 15th sergeant major of the Army on Jan. 30, 2015, Dailey relinquished the position on Aug. 9, 2019. In January 2020, he joined the executive team at the Association of the U.S. Army, where he serves as vice president of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs.

During the ceremony, Dailey spoke of the veterans who come from every walk of life including their differing religions, races and ethnicities.

“It is important we thank all of them, memorialize them and share their stories,” Dailey said. “We will never fully repay our veterans for their service. Because of them we have the greatest gift bestowed upon mankind; our freedom.”

Representatives of Carbon County’s service organizations participated in Tuesday’s event, and Dailey praised them for their commitment to keeping the memory of veterans alive locally.

“I think of the ceremonies and parades held each year, the memorials erected throughout the area, and the banners hanging in our communities bearing the pictures and family names of the sons and daughters from this area who have sacrificed so much,” Dailey said. “It is the little things that add up and make a difference in a community’s ability to say they care, and it’s a big part of why soldiers come home to their hometown.”

Fighting during World War I ceased on Nov. 11, 1918, and one year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.

After American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” The legislation was approved on June 1, 1954.

With around 5,500 veterans, Carbon County has the eighth largest per capita veteran population among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.

Carbon Commissioner Chris Lukasevich, who spent over 30 years in active duty with the U.S. Army, said the county is second to none, however, when it comes to citizen and local government support and appreciation for veterans.

“The association of high rates of suicide, substance abuse and unemployment with military service are unquestionable,” Lukasevich said. “This county’s commitment to addressing these issues is also unquestionable. The veterans treatment court and the soon-to-be new accessible veterans office on the first floor of 76 Susquehanna St. building are examples of concerted efforts to address issues that veterans face at rates above the general population.”

Christine LeClair, Carbon County’s Veterans Affairs director, read the names Tuesday of all county employees who are veterans. The ceremony ended with a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of taps by bugler Henry Long.

“Not much in this world is free,” Dailey said. “There is even a cost to freedom itself. But there is something Americans can do tomorrow that won’t cost a dime. Thank a veteran.”