For more than two decades, Dave Kopp has been a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of York North—joining in 2002—and for roughly the past ten or eleven years, he has played a central role in organizing the club’s annual Veterans Day program. His motivation is simple, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in Rotary’s spirit of gratitude.
“We do it to recognize our local veterans,” Dave explained. “It’s an honor to be a part of it. We have a lot of veterans in York County, and this gives us an opportunity not only to show off our club a little bit, but also to show our respect and let them know that we’re very thankful for what they’ve done for our country.”
A Thoughtfully Planned Program
Dave walked us through this year’s event, a carefully curated ceremony that blended tradition, community involvement, and heartfelt appreciation.
The program opened with a formal presentation of the colors by the West York Navy Junior ROTC, whose cadets arrived early that morning. Their instructor, a U.S. Navy Captain, accompanied them as they performed with impressive discipline and respect.
Following the color guard, a talented sixth-grade student from the Northeastern School District led the room in the National Anthem—a moving moment that set the tone for the entire meeting.
This year also marked the first appearance of the York County Veterans Honor Guard, a group of veteran volunteers who perform military honors for deceased service members. Their presence added a powerful, solemn dimension to the gathering.
Stars, Coins, and a Message That Matters
One of the most memorable moments of the program came when Dave personally visited each veteran in attendance, presenting them with a star and a commemorative coin. The stars carry special meaning—they are cut individually from retired American flags that are no longer able to fly. A woman in the eastern United States carefully salvages and repurposes these stars, mounting each one on a card that reads “You are not forgotten. Thank you for your service.”
“This star flew on an American flag at one time,” Dave shared. “It’s a meaningful reminder that their service matters—that it is seen, honored, and remembered.”
A Distinguished Speaker
This year’s featured speaker was Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) J.T. Hand, U.S. Army, who also serves as CEO of the York Water Company. His remarks connected leadership, service, and civic responsibility—perfectly aligning with the spirit of Veterans Day and Rotary’s values.
