Mayor on Veterans Day: 'We Must Appreciate Them'

On a blustery Veterans Day that had flags flying and leaves falling, a small group of local residents gathered at American Legion Edward H. Ackerman Post 397's annual service at , where respect was given to those who have answered the nation's call of duty.

Hellertown mayor Richard Fluck--who is himself a veteran of the Korean War--delivered remarks at the service, and extolled everyone in attendance to appreciate not only the sacrifices of veterans, but also of their families.

"It's often said that without veterans, Americans would be speaking Russian or Japanese," Fluck said, adding that "we must do better for our vets."

Veterans benefits in the United States represent a "mere drop in the bucket" financially, he said, but veterans often struggle financially due to service-related physical injuries and emotional trauma.

"Can any CEO or Ivy League graduate truly claim to have more respect than a 21-year-old squad leader walking patrol in Baghdad?" Fluck asked.

"We must remember them. We must appreciate them," he said of veterans.

President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Verna Wambold, also addressed attendees, and urged everyone to honor veterans in some way.

"We cherish them and we deserve to give them full recognition," she said. "We thank them for what they have done for us."

A Vietnam War veteran who was in attendance at the ceremony, Larry Trexler, of Hellertown, commented afterwards that he was a participant in the 1965 Battle of la Drang--the first major battle of the war.

"I lost a lot of friends (in Vietnam)," said Trexler, who was a medic and served in the 2nd and 5th infantries.

Trexler is service officer for VFW Post 3094, he said.

Other highlights of the service included the playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" by the Saucon Valley High School orchestra, a military salute by Post 397's Firing Squad and a performance of "Taps" by trumpeter Chris Nagy.

The master of ceremonies for the service was John Higginbotham, Commmander of American Legion Post 397.

Inside the program for the service, the following words were printed, under the heading "Remember:"

It was the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It was the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It was the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trail.

It was the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Veteran who salutes the flag, who served under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.