The Carbon County Navy Club, flanked by other service organizations and Nesquehoning residents, unveiled the third in a series of plaques honoring waterborne veterans Sunday in New Columbus Park.

Joining similar tributes in Summit Hill and Lansford, the plaque reads "Defending Freedom Since 1775. Nesquehoning Borough, VFW Post 8008 and the Carbon County Navy Club Honors All Waterborne Veterans Past, Present and Future."Sunday's dedication was hosted and made possible by the vision and work of Navy Club member Robert "Ski" Siesputowski."Bob put a lot of work into this," said Scott Reinhart, Navy Club commander. "We're in an era when many people forget who serves and why they serve. The Navy Club is dedicated to remembering the men and women out on the sea."Waterborne veterans face a different level of hardship, Reinhart said."When you're out on a ship at sea, you're all alone," he said. "There is nobody close if you have a problem. There is no place to dig a foxhole. The only solution you have is to stand and fight. That is one of the main reasons we do a separate monument for these individuals."Officials made it clear the plaque unveiled Sunday honors not just deceased veterans, but also those still serving today."It's a great honor to have this plaque here in Nesquehoning," Mayor Sam Kitchko said. "I promise you we'll take good care of it."Members of the Nesquehoning VFW Post 8008 and the Panther Valley JROTC also participated in the dedication ceremony. JROTC member Amanda Fegley played taps on the bugle.Angela Nardini sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."The ceremony kicks off a big year for veterans in Nesquehoning. The town's United Veterans Organization recently learned it would be hosting the Carbon County Veterans Day Parade this fall."We appreciate all of our waterborne veterans," VFW Post 8008 Commander Rick Ellis said. "We keep them in our prayers today and every day."