Veterans Day Feature: ColumbiaPa.Online Honors Our Heroes

On this Veterans Day, ColumbiaPa.Online proudly honors the men and women of Columbia Borough, Lancaster County, who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Columbia’s story is inseparable from America’s military history — from the Civil War to Afghanistan, our community has always answered the call.

Columbia’s Veterans Through the Generations

• Paul J. Abel – World War II veteran, Holy Trinity Cemetery. His service reflects the “Greatest Generation” who fought tyranny abroad and rebuilt peace at home.
• John H. Abel – World War II veteran, Millersville Mennonite Cemetery. His quiet courage mirrors thousands of Lancaster County men who crossed oceans to defend freedom.
• Charles E. Abel – Korean War veteran, Greenwood Cemetery. He represents those who fought in the “Forgotten War,” ensuring liberty endured in Asia.
• Levi D. Aaron – Civil War veteran, Hilltown (Colerain) Cemetery. His sacrifice connects Columbia to the nation’s struggle for unity and emancipation.
• George W. Albright – World War I veteran, Laurel Hill Cemetery. He endured trench warfare and brought hope for peace in 1918.
• Harry E. Albright – World War II veteran, Laurel Hill Cemetery. His steadfast service is remembered during one of history’s darkest hours.
• James H. Armstrong – Vietnam veteran, Laurel Hill Cemetery. His resilience reflects those who faced combat in one of America’s most divisive conflicts.
• William H. Baker – World War II veteran, Laurel Hill Cemetery. His name reminds us of the countless soldiers who returned home to rebuild Columbia.
• Robert L. Bard – Korean War veteran, Laurel Hill Cemetery. He stood firm against aggression in the 1950s.
• Joseph H. Becker – World War II veteran, Laurel Hill Cemetery. His courage in the fight against fascism is part of Columbia’s proud legacy.

These names, preserved in Lancaster County’s Veteran Burial Card Index, are more than inscriptions on stone. They are fathers, sons, brothers, and neighbors whose lives shaped Columbia’s identity.

Living Voices of Service

Columbia’s veterans are not only part of history — they are part of our present.

• Vietnam veterans in Columbia recall the challenges of returning home to a divided nation. One local veteran, speaking at a borough remembrance event, shared: “We didn’t always get the welcome we hoped for, but Columbia never forgot us. This town stood by us.”
• Iraq and Afghanistan veterans from Columbia have spoken at Lancaster County gatherings about the burden of multiple deployments. Their stories remind us that service continues long after the battlefield, as they reintegrate into family, work, and community life.
• Community leaders in Columbia emphasize that Veterans Day is not just about the past. It is about listening to living veterans, supporting them, and ensuring their sacrifices are honored in daily life.

Community Acts of Remembrance

Columbia’s respect for its veterans is visible in everyday acts. When over 100 bronze vases were stolen from veterans’ graves at Laurel Hill Cemetery’s Military Garden, the community rallied to restore dignity to those sites. This unity reflects Columbia’s enduring gratitude.

The Veterans Memorial Bridge, spanning the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, is more than an architectural landmark. It is a living memorial, connecting towns and generations, reminding us daily of the sacrifices that uphold freedom.

Lancaster County also honors Vietnam veterans at Creswell Park in Manor Township, where names like Sgt. Robert Lee Wenzel, Kenneth Eugene Witmer, and Lance Corporal Barry Lee Graham are etched into a new memorial. Though not all from Columbia Borough, their stories resonate across the county, reminding us that every community shares in the cost of war.

A Message of Gratitude

Today, ColumbiaPa.Online extends heartfelt thanks to every veteran in Columbia and Lancaster County. To those who fought in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond, we say: thank you for keeping us free.

Your courage ensures that our children grow up in liberty, and your sacrifices remind us that remembrance is not just a tradition but a duty. On this Veterans Day, Columbia stands united in saying: we remember, we honor, and we thank you.