ECGF

The members of the Emmaus Commemorative Gardens Foundation are pleased to announce the installation of 22 bricks to the Veteran’s Walkway 1 p.m. May 29.

For the 10th year, this ceremony is a combined effort of the Emmaus Veteran’s Committee and the Emmaus Commemorative Gardens Foundation. The EVC offers veteran’s bricks to the members of local veteran’s posts - American Legion Post 191, Catholic War Vets Post 1067 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7088.

The Memorial Day weekend program includes a special rifle salute and taps by the Emmaus Veterans Color Guard of the Emmaus Veterans Committee, moving guitar performance by award winning singer/songwriter and recording artist, Scott Marshall and messages from a variety of dignitaries, featuring U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, state Rep. Justin Simmons, R-131st, as well as keynote speaker, Staff Sgt. Garrett W. Rogers.

Rogers is a medic currently serving in the U.S. Army who has deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq for a total of 31 months. His decorations include one Army Commendation Medal with Valor, seven Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals and two Army Good Conduct Medals.

Rogers also has his Combat Medical Badge, which he earned in 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan. He was born and raised in Allentown, graduated from Louis E. Dieruff High School in 2001 and currently lives in Emmaus.

In November, Rogers and his family will move to San Antonio, Texas where he will be stationed at Ft. Sam Houston as an instructor.

During the ceremony, the recognized men and women will be honored for their past or present bravery, service and patriotism in the United States military.

The list of honorees includes: Larry F. Herald, Frank S. Sadrovitz, Cory Meixell Thomas, Harold K. Seibert, Marshall L. Rau, Marshall E. Rau, Elwood J. Benner, Franklin W. Reimert, Robert B. Wieand, Richard B. Wieand, Richard M. Reese, Jerry Reese, Russell R. Kerstetter, Albert B. Wieand, Mike A. Toth, Garrett Rogers, Ronald Eugene Clock, Eric Charles Clock, John Costello, Earl S. Krause Jr., Forrest A. Lick and Lt. Jason T. Godusky.

Seven beautifully engraved bricks in the Veteran’s Walkway represent the five branches of the service and include an American flag brick and a brick for the POW/MIAs of all wars. Other designated walkways honor Eagle Scouts, Emmaus High School, community heroes, family and friends, businesses, service clubs, Emmaus Heritage Alliance and weddings/events.

Thanks are given to many individuals and volunteer organizations including St. Paul’s Church, Greenstone Landscaping, Gary’s Tree Service, VFW Post 7088, American Legion post 191 and Catholic War Vets Post 1067. Emmaus Lions Club, Emmaus Rotary Club, Emmaus Garden Club, Emmaus Kiwanis Club and Cintas.

The ECGF is honored to be installing a brick for longtime Emmaus resident, Frank S. Sadrovitz.

Sadrovitz was one son of a large farming family who walked from the family home, about one mile south of Vera Cruz, to and from Emmaus High School. He graduated from high school and was inducted into the U.S. Army March 13, 1943. He honorably served his country during World War II, earning a Purple Heart. Campaign decorations included the European African Middle Eastern campaign medal with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

After the war, Sadrovitz was employed by Bethlehem Steel for almost 39 years where he became a division foreman. He was a member of the Purple Heart Chapter 190, the Emmaus VFW Post 7088, the Catholic War Veterans Post 1067, the American Legion Post 191, the Emmaus Veterans Committee serving on the Honor Guard, the DAV Chapter 16, the Emmaus Historical Society, the Emmaus Garden Club, the AARP Lower Lehigh Chapter 4150, the Lower Milford Township Fire Company, the Loyal Order of Moose 1622, the Emmaus Flag Day Association and helped run the Emmaus Summer Concert Series.

Sadrovitz could be seen around Emmaus tending the veteran’s memorial sites, providing flag holders and decorating the pavilion for the summer concerts.

The Remembrance Garden at the Knauss Homestead is located on the east side of Emmaus near the Superior Restaurant at 164 E. Main Street (enter at the Cintas building driveway and follow the Garden signs).

For more information, visit www.emmausremembers.org.