Family, friends and members of Whitehall Township Fire Department and the Donald S. Reinert Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7293, Egypt, gathered July 12 to remember Whitehall native Army SPC Jesse Reed, who was killed in action in 2010.

The gathering was held on Seventh Street in Hokendauqua. Seventh Street was designated Jesse Reed Way in 2011 by Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners.

Reed, a 2002 Whitehall High School graduate, was killed in Afghanistan July 14, 2010. He was 26.

Dolores Reed, Jesse’s mother, and Jesse Reed Jr., his son, were on hand for the tribute.

“Ten years has past, and it feels like yesterday,” Dolores Reed said. “I miss him. The pain never ends. I am sure he is looking down now and smiling.”

Jesse Jr. was born about a month after his father died.

The ceremony by Egypt VFW members included a ceremonial honor guard, a solemn prayer, a gun salute and the playing of taps in memory of Reed, who is considered a hero by his family, friends and others in attendance.

Pam Hittinger, of the VFW, sang the national anthem.

There were no speeches or pomp and circumstance. The afternoon was a solemn remembrance of a man who, tragically, paid the ultimate price in service to his country to help ensure the freedoms we all enjoy.

The Phoenix Rising Patriots of Easton, whose motto is “Honoring Our Military and First Responders with Dignity and Respect,” were represented by Richard Jessop.

“We are always ready to honor our heroes,” Jessop said.

After the ceremony, attendees were invited to a light dinner at the VFW.