SPRING BROOK TWP. - About 1,500 cars drive down First Street and past the Brian Arthur Strauch Funeral Home every day.
Now, thanks to a new memorial in front of his business, those 1,500 people will have a daily reminder to honor those who served. Emblazoned on a slab of Pennsylvania bluestone facing the busy road is "Their sacrifice. Our Freedom."
"Kids driving by will see it and ask their mom 'What is that?' and their mom will tell them about veterans," Brian Strauch said. "A teacher could drive by and see it and think that he will spend one hour this year teaching his class about veterans."
More than 100 people gathered outside of the funeral home, braving chilly weather and snow flurries to watch as Mr. Strauch, local religious leaders and members of the American Legion Post 274 dedicated the newly completed memorial.
"Keep hallowed the memories of all those who have died," the Rev. Robert Simon of Moscow's St. Catherine of Seina Church said during the opening invocation. "Cherish in our hearts the gift of our freedom and liberty."
Ron Roberts, a 21-year veteran of the Navy, agreed with Mr. Strauch that the memorial would serve as a reminder for those who drive down the road, adding that the North Pocono School District buses drive up and down the road often during the day.
"The kids on the school buses have to learn that without the service, we wouldn't have freedom," Mr. Roberts, 65, said. "It's a daily reminder."
Spring Brook resident Harold Dippre, 88, remembers when he was called to serve in the Pacific theater aboard a destroyer escort in World War II.
He thinks it's "fantastic" that a new memorial is in such a visible location and was extremely happy he was able to see the dedication, but he is humble about his service to his country.
"We had a job to do and that's it," Mr. Dippre said.
Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter