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Allentown West Rotary Club holds annual Flags for Unity event

Published May 29. 2026 01:02PM
by LOU WHEELAND Special to The Press

The Allentown West Rotary Club held its second annual “Flags for Unity” event at the Parkland High School practice field May 21.

Five hundred flags were on display through May 25.

Many of the flags contained dedications and remembrances of veterans and active duty personnel in America’s military.

The keynote speaker for the event was retired Army Lt. Col. Nate Sassaman, a leadership coach and trainer.

His talk focused on three important roles of Americans, “Honor, Service and Sacrifice,” which was specifically aimed at the veterans in the audience.

During his presentation Sassaman acknowledged veterans from the different wars though there were none from World War II or Korean War.

There were multiple veterans from the Vietnam War and there was one veteran from the war in Iraq.

The Parkland High School Band and the Orefield Middle School Chorale performed for the attendees with the band playing the national anthem and later performed “A Military Anthem Medley” which included clips of each branch of service’s anthems and the chorale singing “Fifty Nifty United States” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

Herb Klotz, Flags for Unity chair, Allentown West Rotary Club, was the Master of Ceremonies and at the closing invited all who would be interested in joining the Rotary to stop at their table before leaving.

The Fullerton American Legion Post 367 provided the honor guard led by John Trebier.

Warren Miller from the Miller Financial Group gave the invocation.

David Hein, president of the Parkland School Board also welcomed and thanked the participants during the program.

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, Andres Weller representing 7th Congressional District Congressman Ryan Mackenzie and Sarah Hildebrandt representing state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, also added their sentiments to the program.for

PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELANDSarah Hildebrandt read a message from state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, during the “Flags for Unity” event sponsored by the Allentown West Rotary Club May 21. The event was held at the Parkland High School practice field.
Herb Klotz, Flags for Unity chair, is the master of ceremonies at the “Flags for Unity” event sponsored by the Allentown West Rotary Club May 21.
PRESS PHOTO BY LOU WHEELANDMembers of the Orefield Middle School Chorale sing “You’re a Grand Old Flag” during the “Flags for Unity” event.
John Trieber, commander, American Legion Post 367, leads the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the “Flags for Unity” event.
Keynote speaker, retired Army Lt. Col. Nate Sassaman’s message relays the importance of “Honor, Service and Sacrifice” at the “Flags for Unity” event.
Members of the Parkland High School Band under the direction of Jason Lerew perform the national anthem at the “Flags for Unity” event.
Parkland School Board president David Hein is one of the speakers at the “Flags for Unity” event.
Warren Miller, Miller Financial Group, provides the invocation at the “Flags for Unity” event sponsored by the Allentown West Rotary Club May 21 at the Parkland High School practice field.
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, speaks during the “Flags for Unity” event.
Members of the American Legion Post 367, John Trieber, Rich Kromer, Dave Rothrock and John Dickert, fire a rifle volley at the “Flags for Unity” event.