‘Thank You for Everything You’ve Sacrificed,’ Veterans Told

A sincere ‘thank you’ was delivered to all who have served at the Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397’s annual Veterans Day service at Union Cemetery in Hellertown Wednesday.

Legion Commander Eric Medei said he feels fortunate to have led the organization for 10 years, supporting a close-knit community of local veterans during that time.

“We leave no veteran behind,” he said. “Our community here is blessed. We have many true American heroes. … I thank you for everything you’ve sacrificed.”

“We need to make sure that we remain the greatest nation on earth,” he added, reminding those in attendance that “freedom is not free.”

Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman expressed his gratitude to the Legion, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. He noted that this also coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Heintzelman presented Medei with a proclamation from the office of state Sen. Lisa Boscola, in recognition of being the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Hellertown Halloween Parade in October.

“Post 397 has remained a steadfast beacon for those who put on the uniform,” he said.

“We are not just celebrating a date on a calendar or monument,” he told attendees at the ceremony.

The keynote speaker at the event was Sgt. Dave Jost, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Jost is now a health and physical education teacher at Saucon Valley Middle School.

Jost recalled how his life was changed on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center and other landmarks, claiming thousands of lives.

“For some of us it feels like yesterday. For others, like our students, it is history,” he said. He noted that while he was already in the Marine Corps when 9/11 happened, many of today’s servicemen and servicewomen hadn’t even been born when the world changed on Sept. 11. Others were so affected by what had happened that they volunteered for military service in the weeks and months that followed the attacks.

“I have tremendous respect for those men and women,” Jost said.

“That’s really what today is all about,” he added. “We remember all generations of veterans.”

Wednesday’s ceremony also included patriotic music performed by the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Chorus and the placement of a wreath on the war memorial near the entrance to the cemetery.