SCRANTON -- The Pledge of Allegiance is used to kick off many government meetings. The Pledge at this morning's Lackawanna County Commissioners' meeting was not business as usual.
It turned into a birthday celebration for a very deserving veteran who is turning 102.
Since January, the Lackawanna County Commissioners have welcomed a veteran to each of their meetings to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
The meeting Wednesday morning wasn't like the previous ones.
The person saying the pledge this time has likely said it countless times before.
Dan Lucas, of Peckville, has participated in Honor Guard ever since his service in Europe during World War II.
"Thank you for what you did for us in World War II, you`re a true hero," Lackawanna County Judge Tom Munley said to Lucas before the meeting.
Heroism should be honored, but there's something to celebrate, too. Lucas turns 102 on Tuesday. That's the reason why he was picked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance for the commissioners' August meeting.
The big birthday warranted a break in meeting procedure. Birthday cake and candles to recognize one of Lucas' many achievements. He survived Omaha beach, served in Normandy, and was awarded four Bronze Stars.
