Armed Forces Day: All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Future Admiral Alex Kish, age 1

Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, honors Americans serving in its five military branches. But fewer and fewer municipalities celebrate this day. That's a trend that Township Manager Jay Finnigan hopes to reverse, at least in Hanover Township. In a brief May 19 ceremony at its newly dedicated Armed Services Park, members of all military branches were remembered and honored.

WWII veteran Wendall Phillips summed it up best. "All gave some, some gave all."

In addition to Hanover's Board of Supervisors,the ceremony was attended by U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent, Northampton County Judge Edward Smith, State Rep. Marcia Hahn and Ellen Kern, State Senator Pat Browne's Chief of Staff.  The 4th Marine Logistics Group, located in Allentown, supplied a Color Guard. The Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 28th Infantry Division, located in Easton, supplied an Honor Guard and fired a 21-gun salute.

Finnigan, speaking about all the military personnel who helped organize the event, remarked,  "Never have I been called 'Sir' so many times in two hours. I actually felt important."

"He'll get over it," wisecracked a Township employee.

State Rep. Marcia Hahn and Judge Edward Smith

In addition to his role as a County judge, Judge Smith is also a Captain in the United States Naval Reserve, with 27 years of service to his country in posts as far away as Iraq. He described how each branch contributes to the nation's defense in what he proudly called "the greatest military in the world." Not surprisingly, he claimed, "The Navy is the best!"

He left Hanover's ceremony for a physical before his next tour - Japan.

Andrew Kish, age 1, agrees with Judge Smith. Andrew's dad, Hanover Township Treasurer Ryan Kish,  clams Andrew told him he intends to be an Admiral.

Charlie Dent and Taryn Gilbert

Congressman Dent reminded the forty people at Saturday's celebration that the Lehigh Valley sent 12 high school seniors to the service academies last year. But he cautioned that the nation;s growing debt is our greatest security threat.

Sing for America, which has raised $30,000 for local military families, entertained the crowd with an Armed Forces Medley for each branch of service. But the ceremony ended on a mournful note, as WWII vet played "Taps" in honor of fallen and departed service members.


Enjoy the slideshow below.