The Hazleton Chapter of UNICO National took time during their annual Bell’ Italia Festival at Hazle Township Community Park to recognize and honor veterans, including remembering one of their own. The ceremony took place Saturday afternoon at the park’s stage and is a regular feature of the festival.

This year, though, organizers held the ceremony in memory of Joe Cerullo, who passed away a few weeks ago. “The motto of our club is ‘service above self’ and obviously the men and women who have served embody that more than anybody and Joe Cerullo was definitely one of them, not only for our country as a veteran but also as a UNICO member,” Mike DeCosmo said. “Joe really took me in as a father figure. I had never met a guy who cared so much about his community and instilling that Italian heritage.”