When it came time for American Legion Post 123, Lansford, to present its 2024 Tom Dobosh Memorial Lansford Person of the Year Award, its committee selected one of their own for the honor.

Richard D. “Monk” Pogwist, a lifelong resident of Lansford, was presented the award at a recent dinner held at the post home. While his selection took place at the close of last year, the presentation was delayed due to scheduling conflicts.

Post Commander Nate Krajcirik, who served as master of ceremonies for the program, said Pogwist, a Vietnam War veteran, “was selected because of his lifelong service to the community.”

In addition to his military service, Pogwist served the borough as its mayor, first assistant fire chief, adjutant and past commander of Post 123, as well as having served many other roles within the community.

Participating in the program were Angela Nardini, who sang the national anthem; second vice commander of the SAL Squadron 123 Jack Soberick, who asked the invocation; Chief Petty Officer Tim Midas (USCG), who conducted the POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony; and judge advocate Michael Greek, who pronounced the benediction.

Speakers included American Fire Company No. 1 Chief Joe Greco and Assistant Chief Zach Gilbert; Krajcirik; John Matula, chairman of the Person of the Year committee; Richelle Schafer, second vice president of the Home Association, who spoke on the award history; and Chris Ondrus, 2023 POY recipient.

A son of the late Joseph C. and Dorothy (Kosalko) of Lansford, the honoree attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School and graduated from Panther Valley High School in 1971. Just nine days after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served 43 months.

During his enlistment, he spent a year in Vietnam with the 527th PSC, USARV. Upon his return, he was stationed at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, N.Y. He was honorably discharged from active duty in January of 1975 at the rank of Specialist 5 (SP5).

Pogwist returned to Lansford and was employed by Bethlehem Mines, completing a nearly 26-year career with the company and its successor, the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. In 2001, he was hired by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, where he served as a corrections officer for 15 years at SCI Mahanoy until his retirement in 2016. He currently serves as the chairman of the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority.

Pogwist has been a member of the Garland-Manak-Boyle-Zonca-Whitehead American Legion Post 123 of Lansford for 52 continuous years. During his Legion service, he served three terms as commander and is currently the adjutant. He is a past president of the Vietnam Last Man’s Club. A past Carbon County commander, he now serves on the staff of the 30th District as a deputy commander. He is also the longtime coordinator and master of ceremonies for the annual Memorial Day observance in Kennedy Park.

Pogwist also belongs to VFW Post 8008, Nesquehoning, and is a former member of Lansford AMVETS Post 83. He was honored as the 2024 Carbon County Veterans Day Parade grand marshal.

As town mayor he served his hometown from 1986 to 1990. He was a committeeman in the Middle Ward (Lansford), treasurer of the Lansford Republican Club and an executive board member of the Carbon County Republican Party.

A life member of the American Fire Co. No. 1 of Lansford, he retired from active service as first assistant chief. He also served as its emergency management coordinator, being appointed by borough council and Gov. Bob Casey.

Richard is married to the former Deborah Ruslavage, of Coaldale for the past 36 years. They are the parents of daughter, Kristin, who specializes in Veterans Outreach for St. Luke’s.

He has three siblings, Joanne, wife of Joseph Drosdak of Nesquehoning, Joseph, and his wife, LaRue, of Lehighton, and Patricia, wife of the late Joseph Reiter of Schwenksville.

He was a member of the former SS. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, Lansford, the former St. John’s, Coaldale, and currently of St. Joseph of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill.