Although Veterans Day was designated as the day to honor military veterans, some organizations pay tribute year-round.

One is the United Veterans Organization of Lehighton.

The Lehighton UVO consists entirely of military veterans. They march in parades, provide rifle salutes at special events, conduct educational programs in schools and coordinate Memorial Day services at 12 area cemeteries.

Among the organization’s most requested services is to provide dignified funeral services to deceased veterans.

Kevin Long, commander of the Lehighton UVO, said that already this year the group has held military services at 36 funerals - a lot considering that for a two-month period there were ceremonies held because of the pandemic.

From 2013 through 2019, they conducted 344 military funerals, an average of 44 per year, up to 2020. The highest number was 58 in 2115; more than one per week.

Not all the funerals were in Lehighton area cemeteries. They participated in services in Hometown, Summit Hill and as far away as Allentown.

Long said, “We’ll do one when the families request it. If a local family has the funerals out of town, we’ll still do it.”

He said he usually works through funeral directors.

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day. It has always been observed on Nov. 11. It was established to commemorate the end of World War I. The armistice to end the war was signed on Nov. 11, 1918.

In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all veterans of all wars.

Any member of the military discharged under circumstances “other than dishonorable,” shall be provided honors in a military funeral.

The UVO members don’t do the services out of necessity, they do it out of a desire to make sure all veterans are remembered for their service and sacrifices.

The UVO

Long said the UVO consists of members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS or any other credible veterans organization. All branches of the military except for the U.S. Coast Guard are represented in the UVO at the present time. In the past there were Coast Guard members who were members.

“There are no dues as long as members are in good standing of any other veterans club,” Long said.

Presently the UVO has about 25 members, said Glenn “Smokey” Troutman, vice commander of the UVO and the commander of American Legion Post 314, Lehighton. He said when he originally joined the UVO in the mid 1970s, “there were at least 50 members.”

He said membership is a nationwide problem since many older veterans are dying and volunteerism isn’t as prevalent.

The group stays very active, Long said, noting that usually 10-15 members are present at funerals. He said, “We have a very dedicated group of veterans.”

Many of those members when Troutman first joined were World War II and Korean War veterans who have since either died or have had to discontinue serving because of their age and subsequent health problems.

The current membership roster consists of mostly Vietnam War veterans although there are some members from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars (Global War on Terrorism veterans).

Long is a Bosnia veteran. In 1996, two weeks before Thanksgiving, he had to report to the Army. In January 1997 he was doing training in Germany and from there was sent to Taszar Air Base in Hungary.

“Everything that went to Bosnia came through Taszar,” he said.

While overseas, he became a member of the American Legion.

Paying respects

Other officers of the UVO besides Long and Troutman are William Fisher Jr., financial secretary; Hans Keller, recording secretary; Roger Diehl, sergeant-at-arms, and Carl Heydt, chaplain.

Long at age 58 is one of the youngest members of the Lehighton organization. His father, Henry, serves as the bugler at age 86. Diehl is age 85. Most of the members are in their 70s.

Henry was a member of the 723rd Military Police Company. After retiring for 17 years, he rejoined the MP with Kevin so that the father and son could serve together.

They continue serving together in the UVO.

Among the function of the UVO at funerals, said Long, is to provide a rifle volley and fold the American flag that’s draped on the coffin. The flag, which has 13 folds, is then presented to the next of kin. Every fold has a purpose, he said.

Long said a special touch added to the folding of the flag is that three spent shells are collected, then placed in the last fold before handed to the next of kin. Those shells signify duty, honor and country. “To me, that’s always moving,” he said. “Smokey and I are the folding detail. The families are so appreciative that we’re there.”

Fisher said, “These guys, they’re just so willing to come around and help out. They’re like a family.” Long agreed, noting that often such services are held in pouring rain or bitter cold weather but none of the members ever complain.

Long said the UVO welcomes requests from family members to help at funerals. “Because of the service their loved one did, they deserve that honor. That person (for whom the funeral is held) made that sacrifice.”

He emphasized, “The UVO is here to serve all our veterans.”