“Welcome home, Brothers.”

Steve Vlossak, a Vietnam Veteran and member of the Palmerton United Veterans Organization, said that is how a Vietnam Veteran greets another.

That was also the sentiment of the dedication ceremony of the Vietnam Memorial Stone Wings that were unveiled in the Palmerton Borough Park on Saturday.

The Palmerton United Veterans Organization, comprised of American Legion Post 269 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7134, hosted the program.

Vlossak, emcee for the program, thanked the everyone who helped with the monument and the dedication ceremony: Palmerton Borough Council, Todd & Clark Wentz, Balliet Construction, Lang’s Landscaping, Walters Monuments, Billy Drake, Resa Hall, Palmerton Chorus, Palmerton Band, all the Veterans of the Palmerton UVO, The Sons of the American Legion, and the Vietnam Memorial Committee: Mike Meining, Bill Gallagher, Joe Solt, Joe Uhnak, Bruce Reiner, and Steve Vlossak.

“We pray that their efforts will further honor these 18 heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Vlossak said.

The two new monuments were installed on either side of the larger stone, which was erected in 2018 to commemorate the visitation of The Moving Wall in 2016. The new monuments honor the 18 servicemen from Carbon County who died during the Vietnam War.

The left wing honors seven men who died between 1968 and 1972: David R. Bartholomew, 20; William C. Whitehead Jr., 27; Neal G. Bollinger, 20; John R. Earley, 18; Charles R. Jones, 19; Anthony R. Giannangeli, 47; and Samuel O’Donnell Jr., 31.

The right wing honors 11 men who died between 1966 and 1968: Dennis R. Andrew, 20; George M. Bevich Jr., 22; Leon D. Eckhart, 21; Paul C. Hunter, 21; Clyde R. Houser Jr, 21; Merlin C. Hollenbach, 21; Ronald S. Christman, 19; Michael P. Pavlocak Jr, 20; Clifford L. Sell, 23; Larry L. Neff, 19; and Edward N. Beers, 20.

Vlossak pointed out that the monument was located below the POW/MIA flag.

“Col. George H. Duell Jr., Palmerton American Legion Post 269, who passed way in May, pointed this out,” Vlossak explained. “Although the flag recognizes POW’s from all wars, it had its beginnings with the Vietnam War.”

Vlossak also mentioned veteran Bobby Solt, who passed away in 2015, was first to choose the pavers used in the memorial.

Billy Drake from Palmerton sang the national anthem and “America the Beautiful.” The Palmerton Band performed several selections during the program. Bill Gallagher, a Vietnam veteran, led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the opening prayer. Joe Uhnak, first vice commander of the American Legion Post 269, Palmerton, offered the closing prayer.

A number of dignitaries addressed those assembled.

State Se. Dave Argall reflected on how, during a dedication in Hamburg for Korean American War Veterans, a man stood up and said, “You’re the first one to thank me.”

“And that was 30 or 40 years after the war was over,” Argall said. “That should never happen. And it’s ceremonies like this that make sure that never happens again.”

Resa Hall, district office manager for Pa. State Rep. Doyle Heffley, spoke on behalf of Heffley, was unable to attend the event.

“Mr. Heffley would like to extend his gratitude to all of you and honor the 18 Carbon County residents who died in Vietnam. May we never forget them.”

Carol Etheridge, constituent advocate for Susan Wild, US House of Representatives, 7th District, spoke of her husband, Steve, who is retired from the United States Air Force.

“While he was stationed in the U. S. Air Force, he would get deployed overseas. And I would pray that he would return. And he always did. But it makes me think of all the families whose prayers weren’t answered; whose husbands didn’t return. Whose wife or sons or daughters never came back. It is with this in mind that I would like to thank the soldiers and their families for your sacrifice and service to your country and community.”

Etheridge presented each of the families of the 18 soldiers with a congressional certificate of recognition.

County Commissioner Michael Sofranko spoke about how Palmerton remembers veterans.

“When it comes to honoring your veterans, and all of Carbon County’s veterans, they just know how to do it,” Sofranko said. “Tonight, before you lay your head on your pillow, say a special prayer for those families; because, while we got to go on, at one point in time, their life stopped. So remember them, and remember their loved ones this evening.”

Don Herrmann, mayor of Palmerton, added to what Mike Sofranko said, “Be thankful for the great country that we live in. Be thankful for what we have. And just remember these guys (the 18 soldiers). The UVO does a great job.”

Rudy Bayas, Commander of the Vietnam Veterans of Carbon County, offered a selection that is read at veterans’ funerals.

“The Memorial Poppy is a symbol of the flowers in Flanders Field that embodies the sacrifices of men and women who served and died for their country in all wars. We now leave this poppy with you in your honor, and as an eternal reminder of a binding comradeship we feel for you.”

“I’ve always referred to this memorial as the ‘remembrance stone’,” Ed Moyer, Commander of the American Legion Post 269, Palmerton, said. “The first stone, we remember the 58,000 plus servicemen and women that died in Vietnam. And now, the addition remembers and mourns the 18 young men from Carbon County. Please remember them often. Our thoughts and prayers go with the families.”

Vietnam Veteran Bruce Reiner from the VFW, spoke of how the community has come to support the area veterans, especially with the new memorial to honor the Moving Wall when it came to Palmerton.

“The monument did not look quite finished. Maybe we should add wings and add the names of the Carbon County Veterans that did not return. And now, here we are today, dedicating the Moving Wall Memorial with the wings honoring veterans who gave all.”

Reiner also read the poem, “In Flanders Field.” Members of the Legion and VFW handed out poppy pins to all those attending.

Steve Vlossak spoke of his own time in Vietnam.

“All game some, some gave all. These words not only apply to those who went to Vietnam; but, their families back home. When I left for Vietnam; my mother and father and my future wife came with me to the airport. As we said our final goodbyes, it was the first time I ever saw my father cry. My year in the war zone was about to begin; but, a year of fear and worry began for my family.”

Vlossak continued: “I ask God to bless our 18 brothers and their families. I ask God to bless all who died in Vietnam and all wars. I ask God to bless all who are prisoners of war and missing in action, and to bring them home. I ask God to bless all who are serving today and keep them safe. And I ask God to bless all who are here tonight and keep you safe.”