The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2021, All Rights Reserved
VOLUME 26, NUMBER 12
November 12–25, 2021
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Every veteran is special by Rick Bodenschatz Veterans Day on November 11 is set aside each year to remind us to honor our Veterans of the U.S. Military. This day presents an opportunity for us to thank those who gave time from their lives, and for some, their life — to preserve our freedom. A veteran is a person who was willing to sacrifice their life for our country. Whether they served behind a desk or in front of the enemy, our protectors of freedom knew when they joined a branch of our military that they could be called upon for the ultimate sacrifice. Journalist Tom Brokow described the veterans of World War II as the Greatest Generation. He wrote, “They won the war; they saved the world. They came home to joyous and short-lived celebrations and immediately began the task of rebuilding their lives and the world they wanted.” As time moves on, we have fewer and fewer Veterans surviving from the Greatest Generation. One such veteran is Gene Kerrick of Stoddartsville in Tobyhanna Township. Gene grew up in the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression of the 1930s. After graduating from the University of California, Berkely, in 1942 Gene joined the United States Naval Training School for Japanese Language located in Boulder, Colorado. As a translator, Gene was sent to the war in the Pacific. He
served his country in Naval Intelligence, and was in the thick of things at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Translating documents and time spent with Japanese prisoners, he learned the heinous effects of war in the South Pacific and at the war crimes trials in Guam and Tokyo. After the war, Gene pursued his Master’s Degree when war called him again. As the Korean Conflict broke out, he once again volunteered for the Navy, and was assigned duty at the Pentagon in Naval Intelligence. Later, Lieutenant Kerrick’s continuing education became a lifelong commitment as a history teacher at Friends Select School in Philadelphia. Today, Gene is still involved in its reunion activities, while maintaining friendships with fellow staff members and former students. Gene retired to his second home in the Poconos, where he will celebrate his 99th birthday this month with family
and friends in Stoddartsville. One of the Greatest Generation, Gene followed his passion as a patriot, teacher, husband, father, Sunday School teacher, genealogist, historian and community volunteer. He is just one example of millions of veterans who have helped to save our democracy. Serving in America’s Armed Forces is one of the most courageous and selfless decisions an American can make. It is a decision we should never cease to honor and celebrate. We tend to wait for special holidays such as Veterans Day or Memorial Day to honor the sacrifices made by so many. Why wait? Most veterans are hard to identify unless recognized through conversation or word of mouth. When you learn someone is a veteran, seize the moment and thank that person for your freedom. Veterans deserve your personal gratitude.
Tobyhanna Army Depot honors first responders by Erica Yurkovic Community Relations Specialist
for the country’s first responders, with the help of the All Clear Foundation. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tom First responders assigned to Cotton proposed the National First Responders Day as an Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Installation Services Directorate, official observance on May 18, 2017. Risk Management Division, “First responders are realearned high praise during life superheroes,” said Bill a ceremony honoring fireStart, Risk Management Difighters, emergency medical vision chief. “I appreciate the technicians, paramedics, and members of law enforcement. skilled men and women who work tirelessly in law enforceNational First Respondment and fire and emergency ers Day, which celebrates services for everything they do the lifesaving acts performed every day.” by the men and women who During the ceremony, the arrive first on the scene of an Law Enforcement and Fire and emergency, was observed on Emergency Services Branches October 28. After the Boston received plaques touting the Marathon bombing in 2013, group’s selfless service, grit police officer Sean Collier and teamwork as well as prowas shot and murdered while fessionalism, protection and responding to reports of a support provided to the workdisturbance. In his honor, his brother Andrew Collier fought force and residents of Tobyto start a movement of support See FIRST RESPONDERS, page 2