The Hotel Bethlehem hosted a military reception recently for members of the Honorary First Defenders and their guest of honor Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Anthony A. Spadaro, who traveled from his post in New Orleans, La., to speak to the group.

In the Tap Room of the hotel, surrounded by photographs of other famous guests, such as Winston Churchill, Spadaro met some of the local military men and women who had invited him to speak later that evening at their "dining in," or military banquet, at the Econo Lodge Conference Center, South Whitehall.

Spadaro, a combat veteran, is the seargent major of the Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North.

He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and of the Legion of Merit, among other awards.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Carl J. Schroeder and his wife, Master Sgt. Roslynn Schroeder, were Spadaro's hosts for the cocktail hour.

Also attending were Capt. Jerimiah Davis, 1st. Sgt. Richard D. Ayala and Sgt. Craig A. Green.

These Marines are on the Inspector Instructor staff supporting the Marine Corps Reserve's artillery battery headquartered on Postal Road.

Army Reserve Ambassador George H. Duell Jr., of Palmerton, also attended representing the Office of the Chief of Army Reserves.

Duell as an ambassador, wears the two stars of a major general.

Members of Bethlehem Detachment 284 of the Marine Corps League also came to honor Spadaro.

Detachment Commandant Earl "Jack" Olmacht of Bethlehem attended as did North Catasauqua residents Lester Perilli and his wife Nancy.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nate Kline, of Allentown, a highly decorated World War II aviator, also attended the reception.

The Schroeders, of Coopersburg, are members of the Honorary First Defenders, a military society dedicated to supporting military reserve units in the area to include the Army National Guard and Reserve, Navy and Marine Reserve and Coast Guard.

After drinks, the group reconvened at the Econo Lodge where Sgt. Maj. Spadaro was the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Because the Marines had the honor an honor that annually rotates among the military branches of leading the ceremonies at the banquet, Marine Capt. Davis was president of the Mess and Master Gunnery Sgt. Carl Schroeder and Sgt. Craig Green shared duties as vice president of the Mess.

In an interview, Spadaro praised the "dedication, patriotism and service" of the Honorary First Defenders.

"They are a group of Americans, a group of patriots maybe not in uniform and maybe a little older and wiser who still serve selflessly to ensure the lives of servicemen are a little better."

"The Marine Corps is a total force," said Sgt. Maj. Spadaro, addressing the Honorary First Defenders, whom he called his brothers and sisters in arms. "The active duty component and the reservists constitute one Marine Corps."

He said the active duty Marine Corps has about 282,000 and the Marines in the Reserve component number about 110,000.

"They call themselves Marines," said Sgt. Maj. Spadaro. "We serve under the same commandant, use the same equipment and have the exact same training. We have the same standards and traditions.

"They are ready to protect and defend this nation. This is what we do for you the taxpayer.

"The Marines have experience in taking the fight directly to the enemy across the globe.

"Since 1775 they have stood shoulder to shoulder to fight and win the nation's battles. They are disciplined, focused and lethal."

He commended the Reserve Marines for their sacrifices in service of their country.

The Honorary First Defenders who hosted Spadaro, consists of 213 members, the maximum number the military service organization keeps on its rolls.

The group exists to perpetuate the memory of the Pennsylvania soldiers, many from Northampton and Lehigh counties, who answered President Abraham Lincoln's first call for soldiers to protect the nation's capital in the first perilous days of the Civil War thus earning the sobriquet, "First Defenders."

These soldiers were the first to reach Washington on April 18, 1861.

One of these men, Ignatz Gresser, is buried in the Union and West End Cemetery, Allentown.

Gresser was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in the Battle Antietam.