The Rev. Laura Stone welcomed members of American Legion Post 16 to the Veterans Day service at United Presbyterian Church, Slatington, which began with a passing on of peace as people walked the aisle, offering peace through a handshake.

The choir's anthem was "Blessed Are the Peacemakers," containing the words "They are children of God though ready for the conflict."During the children's message the reverend asked, "Do you know what a veteran is? These people served in the military. They are grandfathers and grandmothers, fathers and mothers. We call them saints here at the church. They served in the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines."This day we honor those who have died and gone to heaven."Heaven, she said, is a place Billy Graham described as perfection."Today we will pray for all of our veterans and their families for the sacrifices they have made," Stone said. "We praise you Father for the work of the American Legion and all military throughout our history, and for the victims of the storm in the Philippines."We pray for those who have served our nation and those who have laid down their lives, and those who are in harm's way."The Battle Hymn of the Republic was the offertory song. Then the program was turned over to the Legion.Dennis Ziegler, Veterans Day Committee chair for Allen O. Delke Post 16, Slatington, spoke."On this Veterans Day we are commemorating the service of veterans of all wars. We remember how men and woman set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation's cause defending the freedom and preserving our precious American heritage," said Ziegler."Our strength on the field of battle is the supply line which nourishes our armed might in the justice of our cause against the forces of evil. We believe determination made us better warriors because we fought with our minds and our hearts as well as our bodies."In peace we shall go forward together to scale new heights of achievement in a unity of purpose for their sacrifices."The Legion had placed a large basket of red, white and blue flowers plus a wreath in the front of the church.Commander George Burke read the names of the four auxiliary members who died during the previous year as auxiliary President Marcy Knappenberger placed a poppy in a wreath as a bell chimed.Knappenberger read the names of the Legion members who died as Burke placed poppies in the wreath. There were 20: Five served in Vietnam, nine from World War II and six from Korea.The Legionnaires stood as "Taps" was played by Nathaniel Csarnecki.Ziegler read a poem called a "Eulogy for a Veteran." It began "Do not stand by my grave and weep. I am not there," and ends with "I did not die."Stone said a special candle is lit at every service for those presently in the military service and for those from the past.