The ceremony, held under the cover of the Citizens Fire Company due to the weather, brought together community members, veterans, local officials, students, and musicians — all united by gratitude and remembrance.
Honoring Service and Sacrifice
Borough Council President Mick Connelly opened the ceremony by welcoming attendees and recognizing those who worked tirelessly to bring the new memorial to life.Connelly also gave special thanks to the many individuals and organizations who helped make the project possible — including Rep. Dane Watro, who secured a state grant to fund construction. He extended appreciation to Susan Kessler, who had advocated for the project for six years. Kessler would thank Ettore D'Casmirro for demolition work, and FabCon for donating the stone slabs and Citizens Fire Company, which stepped up at the last minute to provide shelter and seating from the rain.“On behalf of the committee, we dedicate this memorial to the men and women who proudly served our country,” Connelly said. “Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. You are the reason we can stand here free today.”
Students Lead Tributes
The program featured several Mahanoy Area High School students, who presented patriotic poems and reflections.
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Ben Bux read “Call to Duty”.
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Sienna Napoli delivered “The Best on Earth – A Veterans Day Tribute.”
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Nick Manley closed the student portion with a reading titled “What Is a Veteran?”
Each student’s message reflected gratitude for the freedoms secured by generations of American servicemembers.
“Our veterans should be celebrities,” one student read. “They are exceptional — no other compares. We are grateful for the many things they’ve done. They are always in our hearts and in our prayers.”
Rep. Watro: “Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
State Representative Dane Watro (R-116), an Iraq War combat veteran, spoke about the meaning behind the community’s efforts.
“I represent 65,000 people, and Mahanoy City — you don’t forget what’s important,” Watro said. “This community’s actions speak louder than words. I’m honored to have played a part in a project that recognizes our veterans, our POWs, and all who’ve served.”
Watro also issued a personal challenge to the students in attendance.
“When you see a veteran wearing their hat in the store, just walk up and say thank you,” he said. “Put your hand over your heart for the national anthem. Show respect. Help carry on that tradition.”
Reflections from the Heart
The keynote address was delivered by Dave Jarrett, who offered a reflective and deeply personal speech about remembrance and patriotism.
Wearing his late father’s U.S.S. Boxer cap from the Korean Conflict, Jarrett spoke about the importance of remembering "and never forgetting" the sacrifices made by those who served.
He recalled standing for the national anthem as a boy at local race tracks, remembering how even then the anthem stirred a sense of gratitude for the men and women in uniform.
“As winter approaches and the weather turns nasty, the flag at this memorial will furl and unfurl. It will fade, it will become tattered and replaced,” Jarrett said. “But that beautiful blue monument will stand the test of time as a steadfast reminder of service and sacrifice.”
Jarrett reflected on the phrase “Lest We Forget,” exploring its meaning across generations. He compared the comfort of everyday life with the hardships faced by soldiers in Normandy, the Ardennes Forest, and Vietnam — drawing a vivid contrast between their realities and our freedoms today.
“For those who were there, they never forgot — nor should we,” Jarrett said.
A Community United
The ceremony concluded with a benediction, gun salute, and “Taps,” followed by an invitation for all attendees to gather for a pork and sauerkraut dinner at American Legion Post 74.
