A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army, who has served tours in Iraq and Europe, will be the keynote speaker at the Memorial Day services to be held in Nesquehoning on Monday.

Sgt. First Class Greg Wirth, a retired communications noncommissioned officer-in-charge, will address community members at the ceremony to be held at V.F.W. Post Home at the conclusion of the town’s traditional parade.

Wirth is a 1997 graduate of Panther Valley High School and spent most of his military career with the 365th Engineer Battalion out of Schuylkill Haven,

He currently holds the service officer position at the V.F.W.

Wirth retired in 2018 with the engineering battalion, but not before serving two tours in Iraq.

In May 2005, he was called to active duty with the 828th Quarter Master Co, Wilkes-Barre, after which time he was deployed under Operation Iraqi Freedom. His unit conducted hundreds of convoys and support missions all over Iraq. He returned to Iraq for a six-month tour in 2011.

In 2012, Wirth accepted a five-year tour to Germany, where he worked for the 7th Army’s Training Command. His career included several assignments with the U.S. Army Reserves throughout Europe.

Wirth attained numerous decorations and badges throughout his career, including the Army Meritorious Service, Commendation and Achievement medals, the Global War on Terror Serviced Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Overseas Training Ribbon, and the Authorized Unit Insignia emblems in transportation and communications.

The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday. Participants are asked to meet in the area of the St. Luke’s parking lot at the western end of town. The parade will start in the area of the monument on Catawissa Street and proceed eastward, eventually ending at the post home where Wirth and V.F.W. members will conduct the service. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

On Sunday, veterans will conduct brief services at outlying cemeteries and are asked to meet at the post at noon.

Refreshments will be served at the Hauto Fire Company after the services.