CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Sunday’s rain wasn’t enough to stop the 21st annual veterans ceremony hosted by Silver Spring Township's Veterans Committee at Willow Mill Park.
It was a day to reflect and honor those who sacrificed everything for their country.
Matthew Wevodau is a committee member and served in the United States Coast Guard.
He says the ceremony helps provide information about veteran's affairs, past and present.
“We always that there’s all these programs out there, and there is, but to actually kind of bring them to the veterans who might need them and might not know about them, I think, is what we’re really trying to get through with these ceremonies and with our committee,” Wevodau said.
The origins of Veterans Day dates back more than 100 years to 1918 and the signing of the armistice which ended World War 1.
For decades it was celebrated as ‘Armistice Day’ but was renamed in 1954 to the holiday we know today
Joining this year's ceremony was the Cumberland Valley American Heritage Girls who carried flags for each military branch.
Winners of this year’s Veterans Day essay contest, including eighth-grader Lachlan McManigal, were also present.
“It was fun to write, I got more experience in writing, I learned about Hal,” McManigal said.
McManigal wrote his essay on Korean War veteran Hal Anderson whom he met in church.
He died before knowing where McManigal placed in the contest.
“He was a dear friend of mine and he… he was just a good friend.”
Claudia Lal, an eleventh-grader from Cumberland Valley High School, also shared her essay.
Khula Azim Bajwa and Ava Shingle shared excerpts from other submitted essays.
Organizers hope the ceremony continues to engage young people and promote the township’s public programs to honor veterans.
“It’s humbling to know that everything we’ve done, whether it was for one year or thirty years, however long you’ve served, it really makes it worth it,” Wevodau said.
The next Veterans Committee event is expected in June 2025.