The memories of wars gone by hung in the air of Courtroom 1 Tuesday afternoon as residents, veterans and employees of Carbon County gathered in Jim Thorpe to honor the brave men and women who served the country.

During the county’s annual Veterans Day program, Richard Pogwist, Vietnam veteran and adjutant of American Legion Post 123 in Lansford, addressed his fellow veterans and those in attendance, talking about the importance of thanking our veterans and supporting them through various endeavors. Pogwist served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1975.

He illustrated his point through a story about James Johnson, a Wisconsin county sheriff, who kept a letter from 2003 while serving in Iraq from a fourth-grade boy named Chris Uselding.

The letter, decorated for Christmas, thanked the soldiers for all they have done for our country.

Something about this letter, Pogwist said, made Johnson keep it, tucked away in his belongings.

Fifteen years later, Johnson realized that boy, who took the time to write a Christmas letter to the soldiers in Iraq, was now one of his deputy sheriffs.

“Thanking our veterans may seem like a small gesture to some, but it can have a deeper meaning, as Sheriff Johnson believes,” Pogwist said. “And while instances like these make the world seem small, it is America’s veterans who make the world much safer.

“We gather at events like this to honor not just recent generations of veterans but every man and woman who has honorably served since the American Revolution.”

Pogwist said that this Veterans Day is especially significant because Nov. 11 marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice, which ended World War I.

That war led to the founding of the American Legion, which for many veterans has become a safe haven and extension to their service.

“Too often a veteran’s highly skilled service isn’t fully appreciated,” Pogwist said, adding that the civilian population needs to take into consideration that life experience sometimes should outweigh a degree.

“A simple but proven way to thank a veteran is to hire a veteran,” he said. “It offers hope and opportunity to those who have not just earned a shot at the American dream, but have defended the freedom of others to do the same.

“America is fortunate to have had millions of brave men and women stand for freedom since our country’s founding. We owe it to them all to ensure that their service and sacrifice is always remembered.”

His remarks were joined with Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein, chairman; and Thomas J. Gerhard, who both said that if it weren’t for brave men and women choosing to put their lives on the line and serve this country, we would not enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

Gil Henry, chaplain for the Dolon-Jones-Martino American Legion Post 304, Jim Thorpe, provided the invocation and benediction, while Angela Nardini showcased her singing ability with her renditions of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

Pogwist also invited everyone to come out on Sunday to watch the Carbon County Veterans Day parade, which is hosted by American Legion Post 123 in Lansford this year. The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m.