Members of the Nesquehoning VFW Post 8008 and the Ladies Auxiliary held their annual Loyalty Day program at the Post Home on May 1.

Originally known as Americanization Day, Loyalty Day was recognized as an official holiday by Congressional Act 85-529 of 1958. It was established as a special day for citizens to demonstrate their loyalty and love of country and to counterbalance May Day, which the communists were using for their annual hate demonstrations against the United States.As part of the program, VFW Post 8008 Commander Rick Ellis discussed the history of Loyalty Day and read the first Loyalty Day Presidential Proclamation that was given by Dwight David Eisenhower in 1959 along with a proclamation from Nesquehoning Mayor Sam Kitchko.During his remarks, Carbon County's director of Veterans Affairs Henry Desrosiers thanked the Post 8008 and the Ladies Auxiliary for being the only post in northeastern Pennsylvania to hold annual Loyalty Day services, noting that"Too many people take their freedom for granted. Loyalty Day promotes patriotism," Desrosiers said. "It is a day for us American citizens to affirm our allegiance for the United States of America," he said."Freedom is worth celebrating any day of the year."Desrosiers said he hopes that other posts, counties and communities will follow in the footsteps of the Post 8008, Ladies Auxiliary and the community of Nesquehoning and make Loyalty Day an annual celebration.Several awards were also presented during the evening for individuals' service to the post and community.Award recipients include: Robert Paul, senior vice commander, regular member award; Robert Feinsilber, veteran social award; Christa Kattner, senior vice president of the Ladies Auxiliary, auxiliary award; attorney Robert Yurchak, business award; and Alexis Grammes, special award.Auxiliary President Cheri Santore said last year it was uncertain if the post would still have a VFW Ladies Auxiliary and that the efforts of Christa Kattner helped keep the auxiliary alive.Awards were presented by Junior Vice Commander Dennis Ockenhouse, and the invocation was given by chaplain Ted Dacey.