State representatives honor Vietnam War veterans
LOWER POTTSGROVE » Honoring the flag or our country’s veterans doesn’t stop after Veterans Day or even Flag Day.
More than 100 veterans who attended a special ceremony June 15 can tell you that. Veterans and their families crowded Berean Bible Church as they were welcomed into a ceremony meant to honor their sacrifices and bravery during the Vietnam War.
The ceremony began with the presentation of the colors by American Legion Post 244 from Sanatoga and was followed by the pledge of allegiance and a singing of the national anthem. After a brief welcome by Reps. Tim Hennessey, Tom Quigley and Marcy Toepel, a remembrance ceremony for prisoners of war and those missing in action began. Set beside the stage was a small round table containing a candle, a vase where a rose was placed, and other items meant to symbolize prisoners of war and those missing in action.
“The table is round to show our everlasting concern for our missing men and women,” began Roy S. Leidy of the American Legion Post 203 in Schwenksville.
“The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty ... The ribbon on the vase symbolizes our continued determination to account for our missing. The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. The salt signifies the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. The glass is inverted to show their inability to share this meal. The chair is empty. They are missing.”
Guest speaker Judge William J. Furber continued the ceremony by relaying his own experiences from his time in the Marine Corps and offering reassurance that veterans’ sacrifices have not gone unappreciated.
“All of us take different paths in life and we perform different duties,” began Furber.
“You served with a tenacious and indomitable spirit and returned to a homeland in political turmoil. Regrettably, your noble and steadfast service was overlooked by many upon your return. In many cases your sacrifices went unappreciated or dismissed or was even insulted. Much of my purpose today is to remind you that most Americans, those like me who were part of the system, and everyday citizens, praised your sense of duty, your unselfish devotion and courageous willingness to put your country first. We truly owe you a great debt.”
After Furber’s address, Kevin Pierce sang a medley of patriotic songs for attendees, at which time veterans slowly began to stand as they sang along to “God Bless the USA.” Veterans were then presented pins and certificates honoring their service by representatives Toepel, Quigley and Hennessey and invited to lunch following the ceremony.
“I hope that this ceremony rekindles some of the appreciation that all of you should have received back in the Vietnam era,” concluded Quigley. “We have to make sure that our young people, going forward, understand what took place back then and not just the timeline and dates that they get in their history books but the real stories that took place and the real commitment and courage and people putting themselves in danger for the defense of this country and the defense of liberty.”