Outstanding veterans were recognized during the Carbon County Veterans Council Awards and Recognition Banquet held recently at the Lehighton American Legion. The banquet is held annually to honor veterans from each of the county's veterans organizations.

Harry Wynn III said that the banquet was held to inspire veterans to continue to take part in the annual Veterans Day Parade."We don't want to lose our parade like so many other communities have done," said Wynn. "This banquet brings everyone together for a common purpose and to recognize our outstanding veterans."Taking part in the program was Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, Lehighton Legion Commander Floyd Brown and Henry Desrosiers, Carbon County Veteran Affairs officer. Nothstein thanked the veterans for all they do to teach the next generation about the flag. Many of the veterans visit schools to teach flag programs and share their memories."Thank you veterans for what you do and all you have done for our county and our country," said Nothstein.Presented the 2011 Carbon County Veterans Council Commanders Award was Desrosiers.Desrosiers said that he was doing the best job he could to help veterans.Wynn said the county commanders selected Desrosiers for all that he does to help veterans.Among the veterans honored were, Richard Fink, Lehighton American Legion Post 314; Stanley Jaroszewski, Navy Club; John Tranguch, Beaver Meadows Veterans Foreign Wars Legion/VFW) Post 383 and 8225; Bernie Pavlik, Lansford Legion Post 123; Michell S. Nace, Lehighton VFW Post 256; Randolph Rabenold, Lehighton AMVETS Post 106; Raymond Kochin, Weatherly Legion Post 360; Andrew Sterner, Albrightsville VFW 294; Perry Shelton, Lansford AMVETS Post 83; Charles Weber, Vietnam Veterans of Carbon County Post 1; and Robert Strohl, Jim Thorpe Legion Post 304.Also honored were the volunteers of Palmerton Legion Post 269 - the Palmerton Veterans Monument committee for their role in planning a monument to veterans in the Palmerton Park, Ed Moyer, commander; Victor Jahelka, Bruce Reiner, George Duell Jr., Joe Uhnak, Ricky Rehrig Sr. and Lou Moyer.This year's Carbon County Veterans Day Parade will be held in Jim Thorpe at 2 p.m., on Nov. 6. The rain date is Nov. 13.For additional information, contact Henry Desrosiers, director of the Carbon County Veterans Affairs office, at (570) 325-3986, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.