Wenzel honored at Veterans Day ceremony in Scranton

SCRANTON — A Veterans Day commemoration by the Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 honored former Mayor David Wenzel, who died last Wednesday at age 80 at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton.

“We’re very proud and we dedicate the program today to a former mayor of the city of Scranton, a veteran, a good friend — David Wenzel. You couldn’t find a better person than David,” Post 121 Commander Joe Albert told a crowd of about 60 people who attended the ceremony.

Wenzel died while the University of Scranton was honoring him with an inaugural Public Service Award. Ailing in recent years while a resident of the Merli center, Wenzel was not present to receive the Public Service Award bestowed on him by the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service at the Weinberg Memorial Library. His wife, Janet, accepted the award on behalf of her husband.

That event had been planned for about a month to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Wenzel’s election as mayor of Scranton, on Nov. 5, 1985. Wenzel, a university alumnus, served one term as city mayor from 1986-1990. At that time, he was the 30th mayor of the city and the 27th person to have served as mayor, as three prior mayors had each served two nonconsecutive tenures.

Wenzel was in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at the University of Scranton before graduating and being deployed to Vietnam. In early 1971, Wenzel stepped on a land mine and lost both legs above the knee, his left arm above the wrist, and eventually most sight in his left eye. He spent about a year in a hospital in Valley Forge recuperating. After the war, Wenzel went on to build a career of community service.

Former Scranton Mayor and Vietnam veteran David Wenzel bows his head Monday during an opening prayer at the annual Koch-Conley American Legion Post Veterans Day Program on Courthouse Square in Scranton in 2019. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)

Albert also recognized Wenzel’s widow, Janet, who attended Veterans Day service on Tuesday.

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Twp., who represents the 8th Congressional District, also each spoke and referenced David Wenzel in their remarks.

“Today, this moment, with Mrs. Wenzel, is particularly poignant and particularly touching to have you here today,” Cognetti said. “The mayor’s in our hearts forever.”

Bresnahan said of Wenzel, “He was a veteran, a devoted public servant. His life reminds of us of honor, courage and commitment that many veterans carry with them, not just in uniform but throughout their lives.”

People attend the Veterans Day program at Courthouse Square in Scranton Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Post 121 holds the Veterans Day service annually at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the date and time of the signing of the armistice ending World War I. In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day.

Wet snow flurries Tuesday could not dampen the spirit of Post 121’s annual outdoor commemoration of Veterans Day in Scranton.

Albert described Veterans Day as “a happy holiday to commemorate and recognize and support all those who served and carry a DD214,” which is certificate of release or discharge from active military duty. “Those of you who carry a DD214 recognize the time and the service and the hardships you went through. We never had snow days while serving. We have one today and you’re here and that says something, for yourself and our country.”

Members of the Northeastern Detachment of the Marine Corps League perform a gun salute during the Veterans Day program Monday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

The event also included an honorary gun salute and a rendition of Taps by members of the U.S. Marine Corps League Northeastern Pennsylvania Detachment; a presentation of colors by students in the University of Scranton ROTC program; a presentation of wreaths by veterans; the Pledge of Allegiance led by Elias Stabinski; the singing of the “National Anthem” and “God Bless America” by Paulette Costa; and an invocation and benediction by Koch-Conley post Chaplain James Joyce.

Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak told the crowd, “Here in Lackawanna County, we don’t just fly the flag, we live it. Our veterans are our neighbors, our coaches, our first responders and the quiet volunteers who still show up when the work is hard and the thanks are few. You are the backbone of this county and I salute you.”

*

The Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 held its annual Veterans Day program at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The event also included: an honorary gun salute and a rendition of Taps by members of the U.S. Marine Corps League Northeastern Pennsylvania Detachment. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

*

Veteran Richard Kane, of the Northeastern Detachment of the Marine Corps League, plays Taps during the Veterans Day program in Scranton Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Veteran and member of the Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 Jim McHugh stands next to the American flag during the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

People bow their heads in prayer the Veterans Day program at Courthouse Square in Scranton Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Addison Winchester, of the University of Scranton ROTC program places the flag during the color presentation to begin the Veterans Day program at Courthouse Square in Scranton Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

The Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 held its annual Veterans Day program at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

*

The Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 held its annual Veterans Day program at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The event also included: an honorary gun salute and a rendition of Taps by members of the U.S. Marine Corps League Northeastern Pennsylvania Detachment. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

*

Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 Commander Joe Albert speaks during the Veterans Day ceremony on N. Washington St. on the Lackawanna County Courthouse Square in Scranton Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Members of the University of Scranton ROTC program present the colors to begin the Veterans Day program at Courthouse Square in Scranton Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Janet Wenzel, at right, widow of former mayor of Scranton David Wenzel, and Carol Wenzel, his sister in-law attend the Veterans Day program in Scranton Monday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

*

Members of the Northeastern Detachment of the Marine Corps League perform a gun salute during the Veterans Day program Monday, Nov. 11, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Show Caption

1 of 11

The Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 held its annual Veterans Day program at Lackawanna County Courthouse Square in Scranton on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The event also included: an honorary gun salute and a rendition of Taps by members of the U.S. Marine Corps League Northeastern Pennsylvania Detachment. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)

Expand