Ken Strittmatter, 88, of York spent 34 months in the U.S. Army and was at the Veterans Day program Wednesday. (DAILY RECORD / SUNDAY NEWS -- PAUL KUEHNEL)

Wednesday's Veterans Day breakfast, hosted by the York County Department of Veterans Affairs at the York Expo Center, included more than 1,000 veterans, said Philip A. Palandro, director of the department.

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Here are some memories and thoughts veterans shared:

  • "Survivor's grief . . . I still have it." -- Cyril Smith, 76, who served as a U.S. Marine and was wounded twice in the Korean War, of getting professional help for the condition now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. "I (understand it) now and I've learned to live with it."

    He feels better when he volunteers to help at Veterans Day events, he said while he greeted and joked with veterans --

    Laura Olsen
    most of whom he knew by first name -- as they arrived at the breakfast.

    "We used to have the ceremony on the old (York) courthouse steps," said Smith, a Dover Township resident, of Veterans Day events about a dozen years ago. The annual ceremony has grown, he said. "It's a great affair, really, one of the bigger ones in the area."

  • "It's a different kind of uniform . . . a different kind of mission." -- Laura Olsen, a retired U.S. Air Force nuclear missile officer who is in York on an internship to become a minister. Her new career, like her former one, will focus on service and "journeying with people," she said.

  • "What I do is a chosen profession. Others here didn't have a choice." -- U.S. Army Lt. Col. Phil Aubel, 43, of York Township. Aubel is a 22-year active duty soldier. "It's just an honor to be in their company and to serve my country."

  • "It's my day . . . I'm glad to be around." -- Ken Strittmatter, 88, of York. The U.S. Army veteran was dressed as Uncle Sam. "I made the outfit," he said and added that he hopes U.S. veterans will always be honored.

  • "This country is a much better place because you are in it." -- Philip Palandro, director of York County Department of Veterans Affairs. After thanking the veterans at the event, he asked for all to share in a moment of silence to honor victims of the recent Fort Hood shootings.

    HONORED

    The following were honored at a Veterans Day breakfast Wednesday hosted by the York County Department of Veterans Affairs at the York Expo Center:

  • Veterans' Meritorious Service Award: David Brady

  • Officer of the Day: George Eyler

  • Veterans' Appreciation Award: Lorann Jacobs