Everyone who wears the uniform knows they may die in the line of duty.

Yet they do so for a cause, and believe there is no greater honor.

Commander Kevin Long introduced Col. Timothy A. Brooks, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Chief of Joint Staff, Joint Operations Center, who was the speaker during Memorial Day services held Monday morning in the upper Lehighton Park Amphitheater.

Long said he and Brooks go way back, and that he had the privilege of serving with him.

“He’s a great soldier,” Long said. “He’s a soldier’s soldier.”

Brooks commented on Memorial Day during the pandemic. “In many cases, our backyard barbecues and get-togethers are smaller and parades may be shorter. Yet we hold on to the most important of them all, celebrating the lives of service members who never returned home.”

Brooks added, “For countless families across the nation, Memorial Day is a stark and often painful reminder of those who were never afforded the opportunity to be honored as veterans for their service to our country.”

“Their sacrifice is a true expression of selfless service - one that no one would pick for themselves,” he said. “Whether they volunteered at a time of war, served during peacetime or never expected to wear our nation’s uniform until their draft card arrived, they represent the best America has to offer.”

Brooks said Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe will become the first black service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq. Cashe died on Nov. 8, 2005, 22 days after his Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Iraq.

He said it was the 35-year-old’s second combat deployment to Iraq since the 2003 invasion. The explosion that rocked the Bradley ruptured its fuel cell, engulfing the heavily fortified vehicle and its occupants in flames, Brooks said.

“Not long after that, enemy bullets rained down on their position,” he said. “But that did not stop Sgt. 1st Class Cashe from acting to save his soldiers. Drenched in fuel, he pulled the driver, who was still on fire, from the burning vehicle. Once those flames were put out, he returned to the Bradley, only to have his gas-soaked uniform catch on fire. By the time he got each of the six other soldiers out alive, more than 70% of his body was covered in second- and third-degree burns. Despite all of this, he insisted on being the last person on a medical evacuation helicopter. Four of those soldiers ended up making the ultimate sacrifice. Along with Sgt. 1st Class Cashe, they join the ranks of heroes taken from us far too soon.

“It is impossible to know what was going through his mind during those critical moments following the attack. But we know that the Bible says this in John 15:13: ‘Greater love hath no one than this, then to lay down one’s life for friends.

“I end with this challenge to all of you; instead of grieving about how those in the military died, thank God for how they lived.”

The ringing of the bell followed, after which Long spoke.

“Since the first shot was fired that started the Revolutionary War, to the last shot in the War on Terror, America has been involved in 12 wars,” he said. “Again today, we honor those fallen comrades by ringing of the bell.”

Long said the number of deceased are as follows: Continental Army (4,435); War of 1812 (2,260); Mexican War (1,733); Civil War-Union Forces (364,611), Confederate Forces (258,000); Spanish-American War (2,446); WWI (115,516); World War II (405,399); Korean War (54,246); Vietnam (58,235); Grenada-Lebanon (297); Persian Gulf (373); Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) (4,423); Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) (2,351); Operation New Dawn (OND) (73); Operation Inherent Resolve (79); and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (71).

After the main service, those who were able formed up on North Third Street, and proceeded to Lehighton Cemetery, where military honors were rendered.

Immediately afterward, the group then proceeded to American Legion Post 314 for the flag raising ceremony and conclusion of Memorial Day services/honors.