Join us in remembering at our Memorial Day Service.
Sunday, May 24th, at 2:00 PM
Come and see the sea of flags spread throughout the park!
Memorial Day Service
A moment to remember.
All community members and their families are welcome to attend our special Memorial Day Service and take part in commemorating and celebrating the lives of our country’s fallen heroes.
The ceremony will be held in the Garden of Honor at Alto-Reste Park (109 Alto-Reste Park, Altoona, PA, 16601) and will include these traditional observances:
- Riderless Horse
- Presentation of Colors
- Bagpipes
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Songs from All Branches of Service
- Placement of Wreath at Veteran’s Garden
- Gun Salute*
- Taps
*Live ammo will NOT be used.
Guest Speakers
This year’s speaker is retired Lieutenant Colonel, Sam Dunkle.
Sam Dunkle is a retired Lieutenant Colonel having served 23 years in the US Army. He is a combat and disabled Veteran, serving in Infantry, Special Operations and Intelligence assignments while participating in the Cold War, Berlin Fall-of-the-Wall, Desert Storm, Bosnia Conflict, and culminating with serving in the Global War on Terrorism until his retirement in 2003.
He then transitioned in Washington D.C. to work in the Intelligence Community, attaining the senior rank as a GS-15 Intelligence Officer. His assignments included the Central Intelligence Agency Africa Division, Office of the Director of National Intelligence Plans, Policy, & Operations, and the National Counterterrorism Center’s Liaison Office. He was directly involved with intelligence operations and coordinating Intelligence reports with other American Intelligence organizations, law enforcement organizations at the Federal, State, Local, Tribal, Private-Sector and with Foreign Intelligence Services.
In 2013, Sam returned home and served as the Deputy Commandant and eventually the Commandant at the Hollidaysburg Veteran’s Home. He was responsible for taking care of 260+ Veterans and their families during the COVID-19 Pandemic timeframe severing 9 years total until March 2023.
Sam currently serves as the Blair County Court of Common Pleas District Court Administrator. He is a Senior Court Officer appointed by President Judge Kagarise to oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of the County Court.
Sam’s Significant Awards include: the Legion of Merit, Soldier’s Medal (Heroic actions in Bosnia), Bronze Star Medal (Desert Storm), CIA’s Seal Medallion and five Exceptional Performance Awards from the NCTC and the CIA supporting the Global War on Terrorism, and American Legion Department of Pennsylvania’s Post Commander of the Year in 2017.
His education includes a Bachelor of Science Ed. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science Ed. from Old Dominion University. He is a graduate of US Air Force Special Operations School and the US Army Command and General Staff College. He obtained his Certificate/Licensure as a Nursing Home Administrator from the Pennsylvania State University
Sam is the current Post Commander of the American Legion Post 516 in Hollidaysburg. He is currently leading the effort to restore the Courthouse Clocktower in working order. He is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8724 in Duncansville.
Sam is married to Cindy Lee Dunkle, who is a retired Army Officer as well. They have a 26-year-old son named Josh who is a graduate of Millersville University and currently serving in the 82nd Airborne Division as an Infantry-Paratrooper at the rank of Sergeant. The Dunkles live here in the Hollidaysburg area.