An estimated 200 community members took part in the Boyertown Rotary Club’s annual salute to veterans on Thursday, Nov. 14. About 30 veterans were in attendance.
Held at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Boyertown, the 24th annual Salute to Our Veterans featured Boyertown’s NJROTC, music by Boyertown School District students, and an address by retired Air Force Major Daniel Fair.
“This event honors and recognizes our local veterans and also serves to educate our community about military service and the history of Veterans Day,” Stephanie L. Landis, event chairperson and Boyertown Rotary Club past president, said in a statement.
The service opened with the presentation of the Colors and National Anthem by Boyertown Area Senior High Navy JROTC Unit Color Guard and the Boyertown Middle School Show Choir singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Pastor Bob Machamer of St. John’s ELC provided the invocation and benediction.
Keith Seiwell and Chris Boswell from General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum provided remarks along with keynote speaker Fair.
“Each year we invite a veteran to speak about their own service and to recognize their fellow service men and women,” Landis said.
Boyertown Middle School East West Show Choir performed selections including “In Flanders Field,” “Our America,” “Inscription of Hope” by Z. Randall Stroope, and “Climb Higher” by Pinkzebra.
Those gathered sang “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee.”
“A highlight is always when the Boyertown Middle School East West Show Choir sings ‘A Tribute to the Armed Services’ and veterans in attendance are invited to stand and be recognized when the theme song for their branch of the military is sung,” Landis said.
Each veteran in attendance received thank you cards made by Boyertown students as well as a lapel pin. Remaining thank you cards are distributed to veterans at local senior communities and the American Legion.
Boyertown Middle School West student Sydney Gonzalez — International United Miss Pennsylvania Junior Teen whose platform is Sydney’s Salute to Soldiers — was present to distribute the cards and pins.
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Also, the BsTrong Foundation had a variety of free mental health resources available for distribution.
“We hope that our veterans are provided with a reminder that our community values them and the commitment they made to protect our freedoms. We publicly thank them,” Landis said.
