The Lehighton United Veterans Organization commemorated the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks with a service on Wednesday evening in the Lehighton Amphitheater.

Lehighton UVO Commander Kevin Long was emcee of the program.

“23 years ago, it was a day eerily similar to today,” Long shared. “A beautiful blue sky, a cool morning. People were getting ready about their day. Some were taking flights to destinations unknown. Some people were reporting to their stations, reporting for duty. Others were just going about their day getting ready for work, reporting the work. Nobody could have foreseen what was going to happen in the next ensuing hours.”

The guest speaker was retired Lt. Col. Dennis J. DeMara.

“Today, we honor those killed in these attacks,” DeMara said. “And, hopefully, a remembrance like this continues to bring us together.”

DeMara shared a remembrance from Sen. David Argall’s newsletter:

“We remember and honor the innocent lives lost 23 years ago when terrorists attacked our nation. Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA, where a passenger revolt led to the crash of flight 93. Many of the brave responders who answered the call on the tragic day perished as well. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

“These violent and senseless attacks rocked our nation to its core. After the attacks, we were more unified than ever before.”

The evening’s program included musical reflections, invocation and benediction by Chaplain Carl Heydt, and salutes to those who died that day.

The UVO offered a salute to the Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard. There was also a Moment of Silence for POW/MIA.

Long rang a bell to honor those killed in and as a result of the terror attacks: fallen civilians, firefighters, police, first responders, military personnel, the “Abbey Gate 13” (at the Mahid Karzei International Airport, Afghanistan), and those soldiers who came home; but, took their own lives later.

“Whatever your faith journey is,” DeMara concluded in his speech, “for me, I feel tonight we must leave with hope and peace. My trust is in the Lord. So I trust today that you have this peace of the Lord that is real and transformative in your life.”