United States Army Pvt. Brendon Smith conducted the Polk Township's Veterans Memorial Service at the Veterans Memorial site along Route 209 in Kresgeville on Sunday.

Smith, an Eagle Scout of Troop 102, Saylorsburg, and the first in his troop to earn the Eagle Palm, is also a volunteer fireman with West End Fire Company. He is enlisted in the Army National Guard and leaves Wednesday for basic training and AIT."Today we are here to reflect and remember those brave men and women who have laid down their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice. Those men and women left to answer their nation's call to preserve our freedom, and freedom is not free. It was paid for by the blood of our heroes. Remember our fallen soldiers not just today, but every day. We are a free nation because of them. Remember this quote, 'They gave their tomorrows for our todays,'" he said.Boy Scout Troop 109 presented the colors. Palmerton Area Girl Scout Troop 3127 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lindsay Fronheiser, a Girl Scout from Palmerton Troop 3580, led everyone in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."Christian counselor Alyssa Cathers gave the invocation, thanking God for "the great land of our birth, with all its liberties and many blessings," for all those who served their country and for our fallen heroes. "May we never forget their sacrifice."Joel Keller, Monroe County Director of Veterans Affairs, said, "Memorial Day is a time to honor, to reflect, to remember and to pay homage to all who in our armed forces have given the 'last full measure' in defense of this great republic of freedom-loving individuals."He talked about whether or not wars are justified and how Americans have been called "to fight the good fight to preserve our institution of a free people."Polk Township historian Norman Burger, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, spoke about Sgt. John O'Neal Rucker, the last American to die during the Vietnam War. Rucker enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in February 1971.The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 was intended to establish peace in Vietnam and an end to the war. On Jan. 27 at midnight, GMT (8 a.m., Jan. 28 in Saigon) there would be a cease-fire of all forces. Rucker was assigned to the 18th Special Operations Squadron detachment at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, maintaining AC-119 aircraft. Around 9 p.m., Jan. 27, 1973, his building was struck during a rocket attack. He was scheduled to leave the next day as part of the drawdown of military forces.Burger concluded with, "Thank you for caring about those who made the ultimate sacrifice."The laying of the wreath this year was in honor of Seaman 1st Class Eugene C. Ridenour by daughter Lorrie Nothstein, granddaughter Jamie Rockwell and great-granddaughter Blair Rockwell.Ridenour served in World War II and the Korean War and served aboard the USS Wasp and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. He received the Victory Medal.His niece, Connie Haydt, and a member of the Polk Township Veterans Memorial Committee, said her uncle was very proud of his service in the Navy and loved to retell stories of his honored duties, which was to transport the ship's captain into port when anchored out in the bay."To Seaman 1st Class Eugene C. Ridenour, we bid 'Fair Winds and following seas,'" Haydt said.Polk Township Supervisor and secretary Nancy May read "In Flanders Fields," and George Moretz played taps.