“A hero is someone who has given his or her life for something bigger than themselves.”

Keith “Jake” Boyer, a former superintendent for the Jim Thorpe School District, reminded those in attendance of the more than two dozen heroes at the annual Franklin Township Killed in Action Memorial Service over the weekend.

The service is held every year to honor the 29 Franklin Township men who were killed in action during the various wars and conflicts in our nation’s history.

The KIA memorial was first created at the Franklin Township Elementary School, a project of Larry Hill, a former fifth-grade teacher at Franklin, who created the monument in 1988 as a project with his social studies students.

“They created something that brought this community together in remembrance,” said Laurel Zimmerman, also a former Franklin Township teacher. “That tradition lived on at Franklin until its closing in 2018.”

Local businessman Tim Seltzer and the Franklin Township Lions Club were instrumental in relocating the monument to its current location at Phifer’s Ice Dam.

“Under the leadership of Brenda Eckley and a group of volunteers, this Franklin tradition lives on,” said Shirley Rodgers, a former Franklin teacher and vice president of the Lehighton American Legion Auxiliary.

“The local American Legion Auxiliary helps in remembering the patriotism of those who died in service by sponsoring an essay contest,” Rodgers added.

Olivia Sheckler, a former Franklin student, was a winner of the essay contest and read that essay at the service.

“I have developed a deep respect and admiration for those who dedicated their lives to defending our country,” Sheckler said. “Their courage, resilience, and selflessness embody the true meaning of America.

“Veterans are the backbone of our nation’s history and values. They have served in wars and conflicts, dealt with hardships, and made countless sacrifices to guarantee the safety of our country.”

“God bless America, and all who served here,” Boyer said. “We honor all soldiers, young and old, who fought for her freedom, brave and bold. To those who serve now or served in the past, I think you and I want you all to thank them with all your heart for their service.”

Martha Cox provided the biography and introduced Boyer as the guest speaker.

Pastor Keith House, also a former Franklin student, provided the invocation and benediction.

Hannah Smith sang the national anthem and led the attendees in singing “God Bless America.”

As part of the program, family members or friends of each of the 29 men read their names and placed flowers at the base of the monument.

The Lehighton United Veterans Organization led the honor of each branch of the military and the rifle salute. Zane Zimmerman provided the music for each branch.

Vivian Zimmerman read the story of the song “taps.”

Lehighton student Koda Arnold provided a drum roll after each name was read; and Natalya Concepcion and Kamryn Krause played taps on their trumpets.

The committee consists of Brenda Eckley, March Cox, Erica Mesaros, Jen Eckhart, Reese Badman, and Connor Stay.

Eckley shared a story from two years ago, which illustrates the importance of this event.

“Three little boys were sitting at the table during the ceremony,” Eckley shared. “When Linda Steigerwalt announced the name of her brother, Ronald Christman, who died in the Vietnam War, one boy said to the other, ‘Did you hear that? That’s Ronald Christman Field, where we play baseball!’

“This is why we keep their memory going,” Eckley said. “These great men were someone’s son, someone’s brother, and even someone’s father; and, it’s important to put a face to the name.”