The Lehighton United Veterans Organization will hold a special ceremony in observance of the 20-year anniversary of 9/11.

It will be held at 2 p.m. in the borough’s Upper Park Amphitheater, according to retired Sgt. 1st Class Kevin “Spike” Long, Bosnia veteran, who also serves as commander of the UVO.

Long said guest speakers will include retired Lt. Col. Travis Steigerwalt, Army National Guard, and Larry Ahner, who was a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard.

Long said the tragic events that unfolded on that dreadful day 20 years ago must never be forgotten.

“On that fateful day on 9/11, there’s people who were going about their normal day,” Long said. “That’s why we’re going to hold this service, to reflect; we can never forget.”

Retired Lt. Col. Dennis DeMara, Army National Guard, said our country learned from the horrific experience.

“In my lifetime, 9/11 was probably the most egregious thing that happened,” DeMara said. “The positive thing is we have not been hit since 9/11; that’s a testament to our men and women who served in support of it.”

Long then spoke about the recent circumstances surrounding the end of the 20-year war in Afghanistan.

In all, more than 2,400 U.S. troops lost their lives in Afghanistan, including the 13 who were killed in a suicide attack near the Kabul airport last month.

“We have to pray that our country heals, and that we move on and learn from this and that their sacrifice was not in vain,” he said. “Our freedom is only guaranteed by the next generation who is willing to stand up and fight for it.”

Long added “everything is a learning experience.

“Everything is based on our constitution,” he said. “If history offends people, it’s supposed to.”

DeMara oversaw logistics for four U.S. air bases in Afghanistan in 2003-2004.

“For many of us veterans, it’s quite depressing with how our government ended this 20-year war; it didn’t have to end this way,” he said. “We are just appalled, and our hearts are broken after 20 years of sacrificing how we could have left that country in such a chaotic manner.”

DeMara said our soldiers did the best they could under the circumstances, and stressed the need for others to follow suit.

“We served with honor and integrity; we worked to make life better for the Afghan people,” he said. “Even though this is very difficult, it should not deter our men and women from serving in our military.”