The 22nd annual Jermyn Veterans Day Ceremony will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the World War I Veterans Park, Bridge Street, at 11 a.m. At this time, the traditional ringing of the town’s church bells and sounding of the siren will signal the historic moment of silence commemorating the signing of the Armistice Treaty that ended World War I and honoring all service members who fought in the U.S. Armed Forces.
William J. Griffiths American Legion Post 465 Commander Fred Jones has announced Kevin Collins, former U.S. Marine corporal, will deliver the major address of the day.
The brief program will include Jermyn Mayor Stacey Cook; Anne Boylan, Jermyn Shade Tree Commission chairwoman, and local soloist Christine McGeachie and the Lakeland School District Band will provide patriotic songs. William J. Griffiths American Legion Post 465 will deliver the three-gun salute for its fallen comrades, Soldiers Prayer and Roll Call of the Fallen.
Collins, a Jermyn native and graduate of Lakeland School District class of 1999, enlisted in the Marines at the age of 18. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 through 2004. After completion of basic training on Parris Island, South Carolina, he attended Infantry School in Camp Geiger, North Carolina. He was assigned to Alpha Co. 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, at Camp Pendleton, California, as a 0311-infantryrifleman.
In late summer 2001 while deployed as part of a Marine Expeditionary Unit, Collins was sent to Afghanistan, the first wave of ground forces deployed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. His enlistment was extended and he did a deployment to Iraq in 2003-2004 before receiving his honorable discharge in the summer of 2004. His military occupation was rifleman and infantry squad leader, and his rank at the time of discharge was corporal.
He is the son of Diane and the late Michael Collins of Jermyn. He is the father of two sons, Michael, 10, and Kevin Jr., 9. He currently works as a branch chief for the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration in Wilkes-Barre.
Collins said he considers it “an honor to speak again at the Jermyn Veterans Day Ceremony, especially after the 25th anniversary of 9/11.” He spoke in 2008, newly discharged from active service, and now as a seasoned veteran 18 years later.
Immediately following the program, the Jermyn Shade Tree Commission invites the public to a light luncheon at the Caines Hall of the St. James and St. George Episcopal Church, directly opposite the World War I Veterans Park.