Bellefonte Union Cemetery service honors veterans, reminds community to remember their sacrifices year-round
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BELLEFONTE -- Community members gathered at Bellefonte Union Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 8, for a Veterans Day service recognizing those who have served in the U.S. military.
The Veterans Day service, held at 3 p.m. near the cemetery’s fountain, brought together local officials, veterans, clergy members, Penn State ROTC representatives and community members for an afternoon of remembrance and gratitude.
The ceremony featured remarks from six speakers, music from Penn State Blue Band trumpet players, a ROTC color guard and bagpipe performances.
Throughout the service, speakers returned to a common message: Veterans deserve recognition not just on Veterans Day, but every day.
“Don’t let Veterans Day be a one-day event. It’s a responsibility for us to remember always,” said state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, representing the 171st House District.
Benninghoff also encouraged attendees to recognize the history preserved throughout the cemetery, describing it as more than a collection of graves.
“If you haven’t taken time to walk through this cemetery, this is history, not just a history book. This is Encyclopedia Britannica in the real,” Benninghoff said.
The service was organized by Brenda Reichert, who has served on the cemetery board for three years and planned her third Veterans Day ceremony this year.
Reichert said her motivation comes from a personal belief that veterans deserve every possible expression of gratitude.
“In my heart, I believe you can never do enough for veterans,” Reichert said.
Reichert said she has several relatives who served, contributing to her longstanding appreciation for military service.
Reichert begins planning the ceremony about a year in advance, contacting participants and coordinating performances and other logistics.
Last year’s ceremony featured trumpet players from the Penn State Blue Band, whose performance of "Taps" echoed throughout the cemetery, as well as bagpipe players who performed “Amazing Grace.” The Blue Band returned this year.
For Reichert, the annual gathering is a small way to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans.
“This is only a little bit of thank you when every one of them sacrificed their life. We just can never do enough, and this is my way of saying thank you,” Reichert said.
Members of the ROTC color guard also emphasized the importance of coming together to recognize veterans.
Julian Linares said participating in the ceremony was an opportunity to give back to the community and show respect to those who served.
“We’re here to pay tribute and give our respects to all the veterans. It’s a small little thing to do to give back to the community,” Linares said. "I think it is very important that we all come together as a community."
Centre County Commissioner Steve Dershem reflected on the sacrifices generations of veterans have made throughout the country’s history.
“We’re here gathering to celebrate probably some of the most heroic individuals that our country has ever known, and that is our veterans,” Dershem said.
Brian Queary, director of Centre County Veterans Affairs also reflected on the country’s 250th anniversary, noting that while military technology has changed throughout American history, the sacrifices made by service members have remained constant.
“The technology has changed since that time frame, but the sacrifice and what the people give and do for the country remains the same,” Queary said.
Other speakers included Pastor Renee Ford of Woody Crest United Methodist Church, Pastor Andy Morgan of Faith Church in Bellefonte and Daron Aukerman of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Benninghoff also recognized the volunteers who maintain the cemetery, noting that the work of preserving the grounds and caring for veterans’ graves often goes unnoticed.
He thanked Reichert and the volunteers who raise money, mow the grounds and complete the physical work necessary to maintain the cemetery.
Benninghoff shared that the volunteers also care for his daughter’s grave, making their work especially meaningful to him.
“These people serve these veterans and honor them every day they’re working here,” Benninghoff said.
While the Veterans Day service takes place once a year, the care given to the cemetery and the graves of those buried there continues throughout the year.