Whether they served on the front lines or behind the scenes, their service to our country mattered.

That was among the messages conveyed to the men and women who were recognized as part of the annual Veterans Day ceremony held at The Palmerton on Tuesday morning.

Andrea Humanick, community enrichment director for The Palmerton, said, “We gather not just to honor a date on the calendar, but to honor the courage, sacrifice and unwavering dedication of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces.

“Veterans Day is a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy — our voices, our opportunities, our very way of life, did not simply appear. They were protected, day after day, by ordinary people who chose to do something extraordinary.”

Humanick continued, “To our veterans who are here with us, and to those represented in spirit by loved ones, we offer more than gratitude.

“We offer our commitment, our promise — to remember what you have given, what you have endured and what you continue to carry,” she said. “Whether you served in times of conflict or times of peace, whether your contribution was on the front lines or behind the scenes, your service mattered. It shaped our nation. It shaped all of us.”

Resa Hall, from the office of state Rep. Doyle Heffley, thanked veterans for their service, and presented them with certificates.

Bruce Frisch and William Gallagher, members of the Palmerton United Veterans Organization, also spoke.

Frisch, who served in the Navy, said that he’s proud to have served our country.

“I love doing anything with veterans,” Frisch said. “It was just a neat experience; a really great experience.”

William Gallagher served in the Army, and noted that both his father and father-in-law also served in the military.

“To me, those guys were veterans,” Gallagher said. “I was just in the Army doing my job.”

Gallagher said that while he is a veteran, it’s events such as these that give him some of his fondest memories.

“This is one of my favorite days of the year; I love talking with you guys,” he said. “To me, you are the veterans.”

Humanick said that it wasn’t until 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, that Armistice Day was renamed “Veterans Day” to honor all veterans who served our country in war and defended our freedom.

“Those men and women were ordinary people, until they heard the call of duty and answered it,” she said. “They left their families and their homes. Not for recognition or fame, or even the honor we bestow upon them today. They fought to protect our country, to maintain our way of life.”

Humanick recognized the veterans: Ronald Resikoff, Donald Kuntz, Joseph Kenney, Edward Rittle and Harry Bomberger, Navy; Joseph Green, Stephen Lazorik, William Tegathoff, Karen Nicholas, Leon Borger and Raymond Hummel, Army; Robert Bodish, Air Force; Phillip Rockstein, Army and Marines; and Thadeus Kozera, Army and Navy.

Bodish said he was grateful for the ceremony.

“It means a lot to me,” Bodish said. “It was wonderful.”

Bodish, who served during the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1967, added, “It brought back some good memories, some bad memories.”