Veterans Honored at Lehigh Valley Health Network Recognition Ceremony

A rousing rendition of the Armed Forces Medley opened the annual Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest on Nov. 12.

Host Alexander Alex, Program Director of the Valley Health Partners Veteran Health Program, invited veterans in attendance to stand when their branch of the service was saluted musically, including men and women who served in the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force.

Along with Valley Health Partners, the ceremony was presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Veterans and Military Council.

Matthew McCambridge, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Acute Care Quality, Jefferson Health, and Senior Vice President and Chief Quality, Patient Safety and Acute Care Continuum Officer of LVHN, was the keynote speaker.

“I am so proud to be a veteran, and I very much appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today,” said Dr. McCambridge, who served in the U.S. Army as a battalion aid surgeon for the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He said he was inspired to his own service by the examples of his father, who was a Navy fighter pilot, and by two older siblings who also served.

“Each generation of service men and women has faced unique challenges and made extraordinary sacrifices, all called to distant lands, often in times of uncertainty, and yet they have answered that call with courage and dedication,” said Mary Stock, MD, Chief of Family Medicine, Vision and Chiropractic Care at Valley Health Partners, and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

“In health care we often say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Our veterans have shown us that an ounce of courage is worth a pound of freedom,” she said.

“As we honor our veterans today, let’s remember that their service and sacrifices are the backbone to our freedom,” Dr. Stock said.

Formal recognition of veterans in attendance was led by Marilyn Kelly-Cavotta, Special Advisor for Women and Minority Veterans, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

Each veteran received a small wooden shadow box containing a remnant of a flag that had been flown at a military cemetery. “It is a way for us to continue to remember,” she said, “those of our brothers and sisters who have passed.”

As part of the ceremony, Erenalp Yerdelenli, Chaplain, Pastoral Care, LVH–Cedar Crest and a U.S. Army veteran, narrated the folding of the U.S. flag by active and retired service members.

“Today, let’s take pride in our service and reflect on the values that our time in uniform instilled in us – honor, integrity and resilience,” Kelly-Cavotta said. “Let’s reach out to fellow veterans, share a smile or a story, and remind each other of the strength we possess collectively.”