Carbon County and state officials have announced a special addition to this year's Carbon County Community Safety Day on May 2.

Bill Richards, of state Sen. John Yudichak's office, announced during the group's kickoff meeting on Friday that there will be an honor program for Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey of Palmerton during the event's opening program.Dailey, a native of Palmerton, was sworn in as the 15th sergeant major of the Army, the branch's highest ranking official, on Jan. 30. He has held every enlisted leadership position during his career, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle commander to command sergeant major.Richards said Yudichak's office confirmed with Dailey and the Pentagon that he will be attending the event as long as there aren't any threats to national security.Mark Davis, communications director of Yudichak's office, said county veterans organizations, as well as Panther Valley JROTC members, will be asked to participate in the program."This adds to what has always been a very special event," Davis said.Richards said this program will partner with the mission of the day, which is to have a fun day for children to learn about being safe."It's not every day where you get the highest ranking person in the United States in the field to attend," he said, pointing out that Dailey's career to protect the nation directly correlates to the event's mission.Dailey now serves as the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He travels throughout the Army to observe training and sits on a wide variety of councils and boards and is routinely invited to testify before Congress.Dailey enlisted in the Army in 1989 and has served four tours in Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, as well as one tour in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield.During his career, he has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal (third award), Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Army Commendation Medal (seventh award), Army Achievement Medal (10th award), Good Conduct Medal (seventh award), National Defense Service Medal (second award), South West Asia Service Medal (one bronze service star), Iraq Campaign Medal (five bronze service stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal.He also earned the NCO Professional Development Ribbon (fourth award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (third award), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Drivers Badge (wheel), Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge, The Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), and he is a member of the Distinguished Audie Murphy Club.Dailey is the brother of David Dailey, who runs Pencor's Service Center, and the son of David Dailey Sr., a longtime Pencor employee, and wife Eileen.He and his wife, Holly, have one son, Dakota.