Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey is the highest ranking official in the United States Army.

He serves as the personal adviser to the Army chief os staff on matters affecting the enlisted force.He oversees just under 1 million soldiers and has served four tours in Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, as well as one tour in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.But on Saturday, the Palmerton native was humbled and happy as he was honored by the town and county he grew up in during a special presentation at the annual Community Safety Day, held at Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe.State Sen. John Yudichak, whose office organized the presentation, welcomed everyone to the event. Colors were posted by the Panther Valley JROTC cadets."Today, we have the privilege and honor to be joined by one of America's finest soldiers a proud native son of Palmerton and the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey," Yudichak said."In his remarks at his induction ceremony, Sgt. Maj. Dailey was humble. He spoke of being 'an average kid from a zinc town in northeastern Pennsylvania' who wanted nothing more out of life than to be 'just a soldier.' Well, Sgt. Maj. Dailey, I am sorry break the news to you, you are no longer an average kid from Palmerton. You are a bona fide Carbon County hometown hero," Yudichak said.State Sen. Ryan Aument, Lancaster, who served with Dailey in the Army, then spoke about his time with Dailey."Sgt. Maj. Dailey was not only a mentor to me and to the noncommissioned officers we had the privilege of serving with, but the junior officers we served with," Aument said. "I can't tell you how proud I am of him and his accomplishments."Dailey then took the stage, addressing his friends, family, officials and Army cadets."It's good to be home," he said, thanking everyone for making this day possible. "It is an honor to be here today and an honor to be an American soldier."Dailey said that he joined the United States Army in 1989 because "I wanted to be a soldier and serve."He commended the military men and women and recognized the cadets and future soldiers in the audience. He then brought Aument back up to the stage, where he presented him with a Soldier for Life pin to recognize his service to his country."I am very, very proud of my roots," Dailey said. "I am proud to be a soldiers, I'm proud to be from Carbon County I'm proud to have served and sacrificed for this hometown because that is what we do."Following the remarks, Dailey received a number of citations, awards and honors from Palmerton Borough, Carbon County commissioners, Yudichak, state Rep. Doyle Heffley and more.He also recognized Billy Drake, a Boy Scout with Troop 209, who sang the national anthem, and presented him with a commemorative coin.See more photos at

www.tnonline.com/galleries.