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Pocono News Section
Lycoming Vets Ready for Remembrance
Lycoming Vets Ready for Remembrance - Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 5:44PM EST
Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 @ 05:44pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-
Lycoming County veterans will honor fallen soldiers, past and present, this weekend.
Veterans Memorial Park in Lycoming County stands in tribute to all local service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Monuments here represent those who marched into battle in every conflict since the First World War .
On Saturday, a memorial will be dedicated to three servicemen who died within the past decade. Veteran’s Memorial Park Commission Chairman Jess Hackenburg said, "We feel this is something we need to do, we should do, because these people that gave up their lives can't do it for themselves...If we weren't here and they were, we'd anticipate and expect them to do it for us."
Chuck Smith and his three brothers served in the Marine Corps. He hopes all Americans will take the time to honor those who defend our freedom. "To me it's a heartfelt thing that we all do," Smith explained.
A smaller display will be added to the park's newest monument, featuring the names of three local soldiers, Joseph Suponcic of Jersey Shore, John Eichenlaub of South Williamsport, and Sean Thomas of Hughesville. All three died in the line of duty in the past 10 years.
Jess Hackenburg is glad the soldier's families will have a chance to see the newest addition to the Memorial Park. "It's really nice to see the wives, parents, grandparents, the children. Everybody's still alive. In some cases, we're honoring people that there's no one left to recognize them, or to own them, to know them," Hackenburg said.
Veterans from all over the county will be here Saturday. They hope the public will join them. Chuck Smith noted, "Rain or shine, we're going to be here. I mean, these people went to war, they didn't only go there on nice days."
Relatives of all three soldiers are expected to attend Saturday's ceremony.
Sean Thomas's mother, Diana, says the family is honored that Sean's bravery and courage, along with that of so many others, will always be remembered here at Veterans Memorial Park.
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