In observance of Veterans Day, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Carbon Campus held a flag raising ceremony Friday morning with a flag donated in honor of a Korean veteran.

A brief ceremony was held with the Lehighton United Veterans Organization and the Carbon County Veterans Office.

Lehigh Valley Health Network Regional Chief Medical Officer Lawrence M. Riddles, MD, MS, MBA, Col. USAF (retired), presided over the program.

“It is my great honor as an LVHN colleague and as a veteran to be here today as part of this ceremony,” Riddles said. “We celebrate Veterans Day and raise the flag to recognize, honor and thank those who have served our country and those currently serving in the U.S. Military and their families.”

Riddles said the flag that now filed over the hospital was donated by Lottie Plesniarski and the Plesniarski family of Jim Thorpe and Summit Hill.

He said Lottie’s husband, Cpl. Daniel Plesniarski, served in the Army during the Korean Conflict stationed in both Korea and Japan in 1949. Daniel was just 17.

In 2016, Danile passed away at the age of 84.

“The flag we fly today, Daniel’s burial flag, was donated by his family to honor his service and his memory,” Riddles said. “We applaud his service, and thank the Plesniarski family for this very kind gesture.”

After the ceremony, several of Daniel’s family members were justifiably emotional.

“He was very patriotic,” said Laura Melber, one of Daniel’s daughters. “He loved his family, loved his country.”

Riddles added, “Military service has been an investment in many tomorrows. It has served to preserve and protect our great nation.”

“For all who have served and sacrificed, we offer our sincere thanks.”

Riddles noted that today’s modern US Military comprises less than 1% of the total U.S. population.

“Today, we offer our sincere thanks to the Lehighton United Veterans Organization and the Carbon County Veterans Affairs Office for their assistance, support and partnership for today’s ceremonies,” he said. “We are fortunate to have Veterans here with us today, colleagues and members of the general public.”

LVH-Carbon President Christine Biege gave the opening remarks at the facility which opened in June.