Veterans and community members gathered outside the entrance of Palmerton’s Memorial Park Saturday to dedicate the sixth monument in Carbon County honoring waterborne veterans and their service.

Robert (Ski) Siesputowski, whose efforts were instrumental in making this monument and five others around the county possible, is a member of the Carbon County Navy Club.

He brought the club to the area, and has since worked to give seagoing veterans recognition throughout the county.

The Palmerton plaque is placed at the entry of the park, almost directly under a soaring American flag.

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The dedication was attended by members of the community, officials and the Panther Valley JROTC.

Siesputowski said his work with memorializing waterborne veterans is inspired by his own experience as a service member who came home to a country that at first, refused to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans.

“I’ve been asked why I do this — this is number six and it’s the last one for me. I do this because I got out in 1963. The way we were treated back then — like we didn’t exist — there were stories of veterans being spit on, called names — acted like we had leprosy,” Siesputowski recalled while opening the dedication.

“In 2008 I was coming out of the supermarket. A veteran came up to me and he said, ‘Welcome home, brother.’ That changed it. So to my brothers, sisters, I thank you all for your service, and I say, ‘Welcome home, and thank you for coming.’ ”

During his speech, Palmerton Mayor Chris Olivia used the words of waterborne veterans themselves to highlight their strength and service.

“You only need to hear the mottos of these groups to understand why they are truly defenders of freedom,” Olivia said.

“The Marine Corps (motto is) Semper Fidelis, shortened by Marines to Semper Fi — always faithful. The Navy motto — Semper Fortis — always courageous. The Coast Guard motto — Semper Paratus — always ready. The motto of the Merchant Marines — Acta Non Verba — action, not words,” he continued.

In the middle of the ceremony, Siesputowski received two certificates, one from U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, and the other from U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Both certificates spotlighted the Navy Club and its work in recognizing waterborne veterans, “past, present and future,” as the club often says.

The five other monuments sponsored by the Carbon County Navy Club are located in different parts of the area. The first was installed in Summit Hill, the second in Lansford, the third in Nesquehoning, the fourth in Jim Thorpe and the fifth on Route 209 in Lehighton.

Speakers said each memorial sheds a much deserved light on often overlooked seagoing branches.

“It is an honor to be here, especially for the dedication of the seagoing services,” said Thomas Minchin, national commandant of Navy Club USA.

“Too often, we fail to realize that there are so many different activities that take place throughout the wars, and we when we stop to consider each one of us is necessary, each one of us has a place to be, to serve and to honor.”

“It is superb that we take the opportunity like today to have a memorial as we do here giving thanks to all those seagoing services.”