Local Veterans Honored at Souderton Area High School Veteran’s Brunch

John Worthington | The Reporter•

Local military veterans were honored Saturday at Souderton Area High School’s annual veteran’s brunch.

A message of gratitude was delivered to local military veterans on Saturday at Souderton Area High School’s veteran’s brunch.

Hosted by the school’s Interact and Support Our Troops clubs, the annual event brings together students and veterans for an afternoon of food, socializing and military appreciation.

This year’s keynote speaker was Jim Leary, who served three years in the United States Army 5th Special Forces Group Airborne as a combat veteran and a platoon sergeant commander. Leary said that he developed a passion for paratrooping at a young age.

"In 1956, I developed a fixation. I decided that I wanted to jump out of airplanes,” said Leary. "I have no idea why I decided at age six that I wanted to exit a perfectly good aircraft in flight, but I did.”

Leary went on to become an accomplished paratrooper and a competitive skydiver. After his discharge, he joined his local police force, inspired by a stint in prison as part of an army civic action program for returning soldiers with disciplinary issues.

"It was our function to parachute into a prison to live among the prisoners and to teach them various life skills that we had learned in our army career,” said Leary. "As a result, I became incredibly enamored with criminal activity. So that gave me two choices – I could either be a cop or a criminal. I decided to be a cop.”

Leary spent 46 years as a police officer in Montgomery County, including as chief of the Souderton Borough police department. He retired in 2021.

"It has been my privilege to serve,” said Leary.

The brunch’s guest of honor was Eric Wisenhutter, a 104-year-old WWII veteran who served as a combat photographer during the D-Day invasion. Speaking on his behalf was Daniel Gallagher, president of the Peter Becker Veterans Club and an air force reservist during the Korean War.

"General Eisenhower said to film everything that General Patton does from this day to the end of the war, and that’s what Eric did,” said Gallagher. "He’s got a series of pictures that will knock your socks off. It’s not Hollywood. They’re actual combat pictures.”

After the war, Wisenhutter remained in the army reserve before becoming a chief warrant officer. He is now a resident of the Peter Becker Community.

"It’s just a pleasure to know Eric, to talk to him, to hear his story and be a friend of his,” said Gallagher.

In recognition of Wisenhutter’s military service, the Interact Club presented him with a donation made in his name to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

In closing, Interact Club member Katie Esposito thanked the veterans for their sacrifice.

"We are truly grateful, and we’re so happy that you are here with us today,” said Esposito. "We hope you enjoyed your time and made some new friends.”

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