Growing up in Palmerton, Senior Master Sgt. Josh Nenscel admits he didn’t know how to appreciate everything in his life.

He loved his family and wanted to make them proud, but it wasn’t until his time in the military, specifically as the dress and restoration noncommissioned officer in charge at Dover Air Force Base’s Port Mortuary, where the big picture became clearer.

It was there that Nenscel, the guest speaker Monday at the Palmerton United Veterans Organization’s Memorial Day service, oversaw the sending of 54 fallen servicemen and women home to their loved ones.

“Carrying them off the plane and hearing family members mourn their loved ones was a chilling experience,” he said. “It was probably the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. It taught me to be thankful for my life and everything in it.”

Now a Palmerton Area High School teacher, that appreciation, and living life to the fullest, is something Nenscel tries to instill in his students.

“The military has afforded me the opportunity to go around the world and meet a lot of people, but the experience taught me to appreciate everything I have; my family, friends and my small hometown of Palmerton,” he said. “If I could give any advice right now, it would be to remain positive, spread kindness, be patient and appreciate everything you have, because it can be taken from you at any moment.”

Always knew

From a young age, Nenscel knew military service would be a part of his life. He often watched military movies with his father, a U.S. Army veteran himself who did a tour in Vietnam.

Nenscel is currently the services superintendent of the 512 Memorial Affairs Squadron at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where he is responsible for the morale, welfare and conduct of all the enlisted members in one of the largest career fields in the U.S. Air Force. He is also chief advisor to the squadron commander concerning the enlisted force.

His career began with the U.S. Army for 10 years as an intelligence analyst and he served in Iraq for a year. He later began his Air Force career in January 2007.

Nenscel has served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the services team on a drone base overseas. He has earned U.S. Army and Air Force commendation medals, an Air Force achievement medal, an Air Force outstanding unit award, an Air Force reserve forces meritorious medal, a National Defense medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, an Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 M devices, a Small Arms Expert Ribbon and an Army Device Ribbon.

“I was deployed to Iraq after college,” Nenscel said. “It was a hard 14 months. My brigade lost several people during my deployment. The thought of me, or any of my service members, losing our lives became reality. Rockets and bombs were dropped daily. My adversity was tested, but coming back from that experience made me a better person.”

Another life-changing experience for Nenscel was his time in Ethiopia.

“People didn’t have much, but they worked hard and appreciated everything they had,” he said. “It instilled in me a greater appreciation for everything in my life.”

A different scene

Monday’s Memorial Day Service was without some of the typical fanfare in Palmerton due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade, normally held down Delaware Avenue each year, was canceled, and a smaller than normal crowd gathered in the borough park. Instead, Blue Ridge Cable TV13 televised the event live.

“It is different this year without a parade and people lining the streets, yet our purpose remains the same,” said Steve Vlossak of the Palmerton UVO. “We are here to honor and remember those who have given their lives protecting our great country. These are the courageous men and women who always run toward the fight.”

Palmerton Mayor Chris Olivia compared the heroism of fallen servicemen and women to that of today’s health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Every crisis has new heroes,” Olivia said. “They are both elite in the sense of character. Giving your life so others can live is the ultimate definition of selflessness. They are ordinary in that they both represent the fabric of our country, They are rich, poor, black, white, male and female. They come from every background.”

The Palmerton UVO, who put together Monday’s ceremony, had a busy 2019.

The group honored departed veterans 28 times, came together as a color front nine times, and recently placed 1,700 flags on cemeteries around Palmerton for Memorial Day. The flags will be removed after Veteran’s Day, followed by a ceremony to dispose of them properly. UVO members also facilitated the orders of 406 hometown hero banners, which are hanging around town.

Monday’s ceremony included the National Anthem performed by Joseph Plechavy, the Pledge of Allegiance by Dillon Uhnak and Aubrey Fink, a reading of “In Flander’s Field” by Ella Cronk, and a reading of “I Am Your Flag” by Harry Brown.

UVO Vice-Commander Joe Uhnak read the names of deceased veterans who passed away in the last year.

The event closed with a 21-gun salute and the traditional playing of taps.

Wreaths were placed at the monuments in the borough park.