Every year, on Nov. 11, this nation pauses to reflect upon the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces.

During the late afternoon hours on Veterans Day, Stephens Funeral Home, saluted local veterans during a ceremony titled “Honoring All Who Have Served.”

From their new building on a large parcel of land on Krocks Road, Upper Macungie, the Stephens family presented and participated in a moving and meaningful presentation.

Army Pfc. Bert Winzer was the guest speaker at the event.

At 92 years young, Winzer recounted an unforgettable story as a member of an elite commando unit, the 1st Special Service Force during World War II.

“The Devil’s Brigade” as they became known was the first Special Forces unit in the U.S. Military.

Winzer’s combat experiences included a mission in the Aleutians to oust the Japanese; a mission against the Germans at Monte la Difensa in Italy; liberation of Rome; and the invasion of Southern France.

In Southern France, Winzer was wounded in the shoulder by German artillery and received the Purple Heart.

“It was an international incident,” said Winzer lightheartedly. “I was hit by German artillery fired from Italy into France. I received first-aid from a Canadian; and a Russian-American Jewish doctor operated on me.”

Winzer held onto that piece of shrapnel until just recently when it somehow slipped through a hole in his uniform pocket.

When the Devil’s Brigade was disbanded in 1944, Winzer was reassigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division and was stationed in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.

“And I became an interpreter with my Pennsylvania Dutch…and when I met a cook who just happened to be from Reading, I became a cook,” Winzer joked.

As entertaining as they were, Winzer’s tales about his duties after fighting and being wounded in the brigade, could not possibly underscore the enormity of the missions he and his fellow soldiers were assigned to complete.

In late 1943, Winzer was part of the effort that took Camino Ridge in Italy.

“In two weeks, British and American forces lost 2500 men,” Winzer said. “We took it in 8 hours and held it until we got relief.”

As 1943 rolled into 1944, so, too, did the team of Special Forces.

From the mountains to a beachhead just south of Rome, as if it were just another day, Winzer recounted his next stop.

“It was on Anzio that we got the name the “Devil’s Brigade,” said Winzer.

“We would sneak through enemy lines and leave behind a little bit of propaganda [with stickers reading] ‘Das dicke Ende kommt noch,” which translates ‘The Worst is Yet to Come.’”

When Winzer, who was raised in Emmaus and now lives in Macungie, tells his stories, it is as if he drifts back, giving a firsthand account of events that took place more than 70 years ago.

He brought with him a variety of memorabilia including rations, newspapers and letters.

He also displayed a copy of the 1968 film, “The Devil’s Brigade.”

“[It is] a pretty accurate representation of what happened over there,” he explained.

Winzer seems most proud, however, of his photos.

He displayed a photo of a fellow soldier, a Canadian buddy with whom he still remains in contact.

His multiple medals also occupy a place in his collection.

Winzer has received a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the French Legion of Honor Medal.

Most recently, in February, Winzer received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest possible U.S. military decoration. He tends to downplay his awards.

“I do not feel I’m a hero,” he said. I’m just the guy next door.

“For two years, nine months, and 13 days, I did what I had to do when I had to do it.

“Everyone is a hero in his own right.”

Following Winzer’s story, Navy Chaplain Richard Stough led the audience in prayer beginning with Psalm 23:4:

“I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

A slide show set to patriotic music then honored local veterans and showed iconic moments in American history.

Then everyone went outdoors to the Memorial Garden at Stephens Funeral Home for a beautifully poignant outdoor ceremony.

Members of American Legion Post No. 576 participated in military honors, a tribute to each branch of the Armed Forces; and as the sun set, Dan Deisher played “Taps” while Matthew Stephens lit and released into the sky a luminary “honoring all who have served.”