Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. November 5, 2025 – ArtsQuest, in partnership with Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries, proudly presents the annual Veterans Day Q&A Panel on Monday, November 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, located on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.
“Since 2011, Embassy Bank has proudly supported the Veterans Day event at SteelStacks, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of our Lehigh Valley veterans,” said David M. Lobach, Jr. Chairman, President and CEO of Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley. “Giving back to those who served is a privilege and a responsibility we hold close to our hearts.”
This year’s event will feature a powerful discussion with two distinguished veterans, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cheryl G. Ites (US Marines Retired) and Master Chief Petty Officer, E9 Nathaniel “Nate” Smith (US Navy Retired). The conversation will be moderated by Frank Gunter, Professor of Economics at Lehigh University and a retired Marine Colonel, who will guide the veterans in reflecting on their service and sharing their experiences with the community.
Presented by Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries, this free event is open to the public. ArtsQuest is also partnering with local schools to bring student groups to the event, offering an educational and meaningful way to honor Veterans Day. Due to limited seating, early arrival is recommended. The program will also be livestreamed on ArtsQuest’s Facebook page, allowing viewers to join virtually in honoring those who have served.
About the veteran panelists:
CWO4 (Chief Warrant Officer 4) Cheryl G. Ites (US Marines Retired):
During her 35- year career, CWO4 Ites served three tours in Iraq during the First and Second Battles of Fallujah. CWO4 Ites’s primary role was as the officer in charge of the mortuary affairs unit responsible for the battlefield recovery, respectful processing, and transport of US, allied forces, and local national combat fatalities. Her unit’s work is currently the subject of an exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. CWO4 Ites was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and retired in 2009.
MCPO (Master Chief Petty Officer, E9) Nathaniel (Nate) Smith (US Navy Retired):
During his 24-year Navy career, MCPO Smith served on six different classes of ships, five being combatants, including the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43). His ships supported US operations in the Mediterranean Sea during actions against Qaddafi in Libya and Saddam in Iraq. On shore duty, MCPO Smith served as a Senior Instructor where he supervised the training of about 400 young men and women to be Navy Machinist Mates. MCPO Smith was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and retired in 1999.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.