Arms cradling an American flag, Jennie Wentline beamed as she stood at the edge of Courthouse Square.
"I'm proud to be an American," the Dunmore resident said, explaining that she immigrated to the United States from Italy when she was 5 years old.
Her husband of 62 years served in the military, as did her grandson, who recently returned from his second tour in Afghanistan. Her pride in her family and her country brought her and her flag out Sunday morning for a Veterans Day service, which appropriately began at 11 a.m., the same hour that the armistice was signed, ending Word War I in 1918.
"I'm here to honor all the veterans," Mrs. Wentline said, noting that she never misses the Koch-Conley American Legion Post 121 Veterans Day program.
The small crowd that joined Mrs. Wentline was mainly composed of members of the armed forces and other veterans support organizations, like the Disabled American Veterans.
Michael Iacavazzi, the 3rd junior vice commander of the Department of Pennsylvania DAV, laid a wreath at Sunday's event but explained that his attendance had greater meaning.
"You've got to remember those who served, especially with the war going on now," he said.
Even in times of peace, he continued, veterans deserve honor for making such a time possible. After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era, he said he was pleased to see respect for men and women who serve, which was not always the case.
"Now I get the thank-yous," he said.
Sunday's events opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and remarks from Lackwanna County Commissioner Patrick O'Malley and Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty before Congressman-Elect Matthew Cartwright delivered the keynote speech in his first public appearance since the election.
"While all of us share this pride, few of us have actually been involved in the service of defending it," he said. "We never dispute that our troops embody the patriotism that we ourselves hold dear."
The sentiment was shared by Jen and Jesse Knott of Clarks Green and their four children. Mrs. Knott explained that there was a strong military tradition in their family.
"I think if you don't start the kids now when they're growing up, it's too late," said Barbara Tierney, the children's grandmother. "We instill patriotism in the kids."
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