On Monday, master of ceremonies and past commander of the American Legion Post 123 Richard D. Pogwist read from an article of the American Legion that posed the question of whether all the deaths of American soldiers were worth it.

He quoted Marine Corps Gen. John Kelly, who lost his own son Frank Kelly in the Iraq War, and was asked the question by a reporter, saying: "I think what I tell families now is the only person really that has a right to answer that question - was it worth it? - is the young man or woman that lost their life."And I believe what they would say is that they were doing what they wanted to do, they were aware of where they wanted to be, so that would be the answer. I think that question is not for us that survive to answer it, I think it is for those young people to answer, and I think they do answer it with their actions and obviously their life."Pogwist said, "Who can deny the heartfelt wisdom and logic of Kelly's words, but just as we should not presume to speak for the fallen, we can make the country for which they have died a better place, one that honors their sacrifice, and epitomizes the ideals enshrined in our constitution."Was it worth it is the wrong question for us to answer," Pogwist said. "Instead we should commit ourselves to make it worth it. We should insist that America remain the land of the free, a land where patriotism trumps politics, where the American flag is displayed proudly and frequently, and where military veterans are society's true celebrities. We must never forget the families of our fallen."The guest speaker was Andrew Shaker, an Afghanistan veteran who served with the 365th Engineer Battalion Forward Support Company as an automated logistical specialist and received the Army Commendation medal, the Afghan Service Ribbon, and the NATO Service Ribbon during his deployment to Afghanistan from September 2013 to May 2014."If there's anyone here that has lost somebody, lost a loved one, or friend to the price of freedom, I want to say please, don't mourn their loss, but instead celebrate their life today, and I want to personally say thank you to you and your family," Shaker said.He concluded with a quote from Gen. George S. Patton, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."Panther Valley High School JROTC student Zack Gilbert sang the national anthem and read Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.The Rev. Jeremy Benack gave the invocation and benediction.Panther Valley JROTC student Sarah Markovich read Logan's General Order.Tim Midas placed the memorial wreath in absence of Post Commander Nathan Krajcirik, who has been deployed with the National Guard. Panther Valley JROTC student Paige Moser read "In Flanders Field."Lansford Legion Home Association President Jay Doyle read the roll call of deceased veterans since Memorial Day 2015.