The annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day observance was held in Lehighton on Sunday, but with an addendum.

Each year for several decades the Lehighton United Veterans Organization has been conducting a program at its World War II monument along Route 209 in the borough.

Not only is it held on Dec. 7 each year, but also at exactly 12:48 p.m. (7:48 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time), which is the time the bombing attack began by Japanese planes at Pearl Harbor.

This year, in addition to the usual service, a dedication ceremony was held for a Lehighton Veterans Memorial Park monument. The World War II monument is located within the Memorial Park.

The black, granite Memorial Park monument was dedicated in memory of David Bryfogle, a UVO member who was instrumental in having the Memorial Park created and, along with UVO Commander Kevin “Spike” Long, got a large World War II memorial moved to its present location there.

Bryfogle, a Vietnam War era Navy veteran who had joined the military at age 17, died at age 70 on Jan. 8, 2023. He had been active in the UVO his entire adult life.

Lt. Colonel Peter Semanoff, the main speaker, said during the dedication, “This park and this monument will help to honor our veterans for year to come; for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

Semanoff, a U.S. Army veteran and Lehighton Area High School graduate, is professor of military science at Bucknell University. He is the grandson of the late state Rep. Joseph Semanoff of Lehighton, who was a World War II veteran having jumped into Normandy with the 101st Airborne Unit of the U.S. Army on D-Day and who was wounded at Bastogne on Christmas Day in 1944.

Peter Semanoff, who had tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, also served in the 101st Airborne.

The speaker told the two-dozen spectators who attended the program, “It’s communities like Lehighton that produce the ‘citizen soldier’ who answers the country’s call to service.”

Semanoff tied his remarks into the attack on Pearl Harbor. Semanoff said that following that assault, “Americans did not hesitate and tens of thousands immediately answered the call to serve their country. The armed service recruitment offices swelled with those who stepped forward to defend the country they so loved.”

“This was also the story of Lehighton,” he said, “and many came forward within hours of hearing the radio broadcast.”

Long served as master of ceremonies for the dual event.

He and UVO member Glenn Troutman placed a wreath at the World War II monument in the park. The monument contains the names of all Lehighton Area residents who sacrificed their lives in World War II.

Semanoff recalled that 24 years ago, as an Eagle Scout project, he compiled interviews with 30 Lehighton area World War II veterans. He said, “In recent years I have come to think about these interviews and how impactful they were to me.”

“These are men whose stories of duty and honor helped to form a strong foundation for me, personally, as I entered the service,” he said.

Helping with the dedication of the Veterans Park monument were relatives of Bryfogle. They were his widow, Wilburta Bryfogle; their daughter, Heather Smith, and their great-granddaughter, Summer Harsch.

At the conclusion of the dedication, Long gave a “toast” of Bryfogle’s drink of choice, Mountain Dew, pouring it in front of the stone.

The UVO members gave gun salutes during both portions of the event.

The invocation and benediction were offered by UVO chaplain Carl Haydt. “Taps” were sounded on the bugle by UVO member Kevin D. Long.

Vocalist Angela Nardini sang “The Stars Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”

Kitty Kat Concessions offered free refreshments to the attendees.