SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Throughout the early afternoon in Scranton, people gathered not just to honor freedom, but to remember the cost that came with it.

American flags waved as veterans, families, local leaders, and local residents gathered for the Memorial Day ceremony hosted by VFW Post 25 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Scranton.

The ceremony included prayers, patriotic music, and moments of reflection, honoring men and women who never made it home.

For many veterans in attendance, the day carried personal meaning.

“The thing is, it really touches me because I know several comrades who I’ve lost. I joined the Navy in 1963. Almost immediately, I lost one of my friends who was in a landing in Lebanon.,” James Wassmuth, trustee at VFW Post 25, explains.

Community members of all ages also came out to honor their loved ones and show support for those who served.

“I have my brother-in-law here and my sister in memory of my family, and I’ve always come to these things.  And it’s just important to be yourself and be as one,” Alexandria Gurdak from Tunkhannock says.

For many, today’s ceremony was personal, honoring friends, family members, and fellow service members whose names may never be forgotten.

Among those attending was Brian Machowski and his therapy dog, Wally,  who often visit veterans at the Gino Merli Veterans Center.

“This is Wally.  Wally is a therapy dog, and Wally and I are a therapy team at the Gino Merli Veterans Center.  I was raised at a very young age to honor and respect our military and our veterans.  Wally and i have been a therapy team there for four and a half years, just brining a smile to our veterans faces every day we go there,” Machowski notes.

Veterans here say that while today is a day of remembrance, it is also a reminder to support those who continue to serve both at home and overseas.

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