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Pa. Town Honors First Responders, Veterans on `Service Day`

08/25/2016

Aug. 25--SHENANDOAH -- Among the mix of sesquicentennial celebrations this week, Wednesday was the day to recognize and honor those residents who served the country in military uniform and those who wear other uniforms as first responders in the community.

The Shenandoah Sesquicentennial Committee designated Wednesday as "Service Day," with activities throughout the day, beginning with a flag raising ceremony with the playing of "Reveille" at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Memorial Garden next to the American Legion Anthony P. Damato "Medal of Honor" Post 792 on Main Street. Legion members and the public watched as post Adjutant Leo Slecton raised the flag at the mural of Damato as post Commander Edward Bickowski stood at the flagpole at attention and saluted.

After the flag raising, everyone moved to the gazebo for a program featuring a speech by Army veteran Thomas C. Dando, Gordon, who served in the Vietnam War as an infantry squad leader in 1968-69. Committee member Andy Ulicny was the emcee, welcoming everyone to the program.

"What greater service is there than military service on behalf of our nation," Ulicny said, and then introduced Mayor Andrew J. Szczyglak.

"There is nothing more fitting to honor you, to remember the men and women who have sacrificed and gave up their lives, their time, their talent to go to war to fight for us, and to allow us to be here today to celebrate these 150 years," Szczyglak said. "It is because of you who went out and fought and made it possible to be here today. I can't thank you enough from the bottom of my heart and the Borough of Shenandoah. Thank you for your service.

Ulicny invited the sesquicentennial committee chairwoman, Debra Ulicny, to briefly speak on the generations of her family who have served in the service in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, and in Iraq.

Dando came to the podium and said he was impressed with the beautiful garden the Legion post had in the downtown.

"Just being here, looking at you veterans, gives me a sense of pride," Dando said. "I'm always happy to speak about the sacrifices of the American veteran."

Dando spoke of visiting Shenandoah Valley High School before the program and given a tour by retired teacher Robert Yudinsky. Dando had served as high school principal at SV, where he saw the World War II memorial in the school, the tribute to Marine Cpl. Anthony P. Damato, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save his comrades in World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and a tribute to his brother, Army Air Corps Capt. Neil Damato, who was shot down in a B-17F bomber over Europe in World War II and is missing in action. There is also a tribute to Army Pvt. Walter H. Wardigo, who was Shenandoah's first "Gold Star" with his death by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941, at Hickam Field, Hawaii, during the attack on Pearl Harbor,

"This World War II memorial (at SV) with the list of names made me aware of the sacrifices made by the veterans of Shenandoah and the cost of conflict for many veterans who served through the years and the sacrifices they have made for this country," Dando said.

Dando told stories from television documentaries and published materials about veterans. One story was about veterans who returned to Normandy about 50 years after the D-Day invasion in 1944 and how moved they were, especially for the friends they lost during the effort to establish a beachhead to free Europe from Nazi occupation.

"It showed the veterans walking arm-in-arm along the beaches they fought on, and when they got to the finish line, there was one thing that was the same about all of them -- they were all crying," Dando said. "When they were asked why they were crying, they said that they were happy to be together, but they would never forget the friends that never came home."

Dando spoke of his time in Vietnam, how hard it was to deal with the jungle conditions, and how the loss of those around you can have a terrible impact.

"I believe my time in the jungle was similar to all of the grunts," Dando said. "We fought the jungle vines, the bugs, the ants, the spiders, the snakes, the constant heat, the lack of sleep, the fatigue, the loneliness, feeling homesick, and, of course, the firefights -- those horrible minutes of terror that you had to ignore until the bullets stopped. It was then, and only then, could you see who made it and who didn't. Then there was the guilt of feeling good because you didn't die, yet feeling bad because your friends died. The guilt stays with you for your whole life."

Dando spoke of a three-hour firefight on March 14, 1969, when two members of his squad were killed, another lost a leg, and one was filled with shrapnel. At times during his talk, Dando paused due to emotion as he read stories about those who served.

"A new generation of American veterans is stepping up to accept their challenge," Dando said. "They have not shied away from their responsibilities. Rather they have courageously accepted them. These young Americans as we speak are in harm's way today in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes it seems that people do not realize that. They continue to show their courage and willingness to serve. That is what veterans do. They don't question. They put their lives on the line and do what their country asks. God bless these young American heroes."

Dando specifically addressed the veterans who attended and had served years before.

"As I look at these veterans in front of me, I see the passing of time may have whitened their hair and bent their backs and slowed their steps, but when I look into their eyes and talk with them, I see the same love of country and flag, the same loyalty to comrades that they had when they marched off to serve 10, 20, 30, even 70 years ago. Because of men and women like these before you, we are able to live under this umbrella of freedom and liberty that we enjoy. Sometimes the sacrifices of these veterans are forgotten and freedom is taken for granted, but remember the words written at the Korean War Memorial: 'Freedom is not free.' "

After Dando's speech, everyone moved into the post home for coffee and donuts. Ulicny gave a PowerPoint presentation on the service of veterans in the wars from the Revolutionary War to now. Ulicny showed photos of tombstones of veterans at local cemeteries, along with the different memorials at cemeteries and other locations in towns.

Ulicny spoke of the local veterans posts, speaking of the veterans after whom they have been dedicated.

"Thank you, veterans," Ulicny said as he finished his talk.

At 1 p.m., student essays were read at the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society and a presentation was made entitled "Thank You for Your Service: Shenandoah's Military and First Responders." The afternoon activities ended with a tour of the Schuylkill Historical Fire Museum in Shenandoah.

The scene shifted back to the veterans garden at 5 p.m. for the lowering of the American flag by members of Shenandoah Boy Scout Troop 721 and Cub Scout Pack 711. The flag was lowered and Legion member Gordon Slater instructed the Boy Scouts how to properly fold a flag. The Scouts enjoyed pizza in the post after the ceremony.

Service Day continued about an hour later at East Washington Street, beginning with the landing of the Lehigh Valley Health Network's MedEvac 7, which is based in Pottsville. The helicopter made several rounds above the borough before landing at the helipad at the eastern end of the street.

The crew opened the helicopter for visitors to look inside, with the crew explaining its operation. Children were able to sit inside and get photos taken. According to crewmember Eric Bubbenmoyer, the health network has four MedEvac helicopters and two ambulances in Allentown.

"We have helicopters in Pottsville, Hazleton, East Stroudsburg and Kutztown," Bubbenmoyer said.

The Shenandoah police were on scene, as were fire trucks from Columbia Hose Fire Company No. 1, Phoenix Fire Company No. 2, Defender Hose Company No. 3, Polish American Fire Company No. 4, and Rescue Hook and Ladder Fire Company No. 5, and an ambulance from the Shenandoah Community Ambulance. Personnel were on hand to answer questions and show the equipment. There were free blood pressure screening.