On May 24, 27 bricks representing local heroes were placed in the Veteran's Walkway in the Emmaus Commemorative Garden. The ninth annual ceremony was organized by the Emmaus Veteran's Committee and the Emmaus Commemorative Gardens Foundation.

The Veteran's Walkway is designed to acknowledge the service and sacrifices veterans and their families have made for the country, as well as encourage visitors to remember the contributions of these individuals and the impact they have had on the community.

The installation began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, led by singer/ songwriter Scott Marshall and followed by the honor guard three-volley salute.

After recognizing the veterans in attendance, Dr. Mike Waddell, executive director of ECGF, gave opening remarks before introducing an unexpected guest, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-15th.

Dent shared his personal connection to Memorial Day as he told the crowd about his father, a U.S. Navy Veteran.

"Think of the sacrifice, and not only what they [veterans] did for our country but so many other people," Dent said.

State Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, spoke next, sharing an anecdote about his grandfather who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

"He inspires me everyday and I think our veterans should inspire us everyday," Simmons said.

Simmons admired the garden, as well as the efforts made to acknowledge local veterans in the Emmaus community.

"I am just totally enthralled by what I see here," Simmons said.

Director of Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs Thomas Applebach, who served in several branches of the military for over two decades, gave the veteran's remarks.

"Today is about honoring the names on these bricks," Applebach said.

Waddell then presented the bricks to the veterans and family members of those being honored.

The honorees included Charles E. Birdsell, Herman Haberstumpf, Philip "Phib" Weida, Dale W. Brobst, Jerome C. Mazza, Lamont Roy Mohr, Eugene W. Schafer, Edward "Sonny" Reese, Lt. Col. Robert F. Sorg, TSGT Harold Eyer, Sgt. John H. Eyer, Cpl. Anthony Timar, Harold A. Zentner Jr., Harold W. H. David, Laird R. David, Laird R. David Jr., Alfred K. Dilliplaine, Martin Lang, Robert A. Jones, Burr W. Allen, Albert J. DeVuono, G. Sgt. Dandridge AR, Sgt. Klingaman TM, Sgt. Klingaman FJ, Terry W. Klingaman, Francis A. Hartman and Major Robert H Neitz.

The bricks were installed with the help of ECGF members in the walkway for the community to reflect upon and enjoy.