Memorial Day in Morton Illinois started with a terrific breakfast put on by members of Post 318 of The American Legion. The breakfast was well attended and veterans ate free in recognition of their sacrifice to our country.
At exactly 11:00am the ceremony began with a resounding rendition of The National Anthem by Heather Berger head of the vocal department at Morton High School. Heather gave the audience a real treat by singing not just the traditional verse we all know, but all FOUR verses of Francis Scott Key's song describing the defense of Fort McHenry in 1814.
The program continued with participation from Citizenship award recipient Jake Marks who led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kathy Reynolds sang freedom's song and medley of songs that included God Bless America.
The grand-daughter of Post 318 member, Jack Hirstien, Bretta read in Flander's Field.
Bretta will be entering the United States Air Force next month.
We were pleased that Of the four scholarships the American Family gave out this year, three of the recipients were able to participate in the Memorial Day Program. Megan Eastman read the Gettysburg Address. Ryan Wezieck explained the Battlefield Cross. Caitlyn Vandermeer explained the POW/MIA Table. Caitlyn is a Private First Class in the Illinois Army National Guard with one year time in service. It should be noted that she just graduated high school a couple of weeks ago.
The widow and Children of SSGT Paul Gene Smith were honored by the presentation of a Gold Star Banner in recognition of their loss to the war in Afghanistan. Incoming Post 318 Commander Bob Wertz made the presentation.
Pastor Jeff Johnston gave the keynote address.
Incoming Commander Wertz also read the list of War dead from Morton who died in the Civil War or World War I. Morton Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Jerry Davis read the list of World War II, Korea and Vietnam War dead from Morton.
American Legion Post 318 Adjutant and host for today's program, Larry Stimeling, read the list of American Legion post 318 members who have died in the past year.
Stimeling then announced that the Morton Veterans' Memorial Committee is starting its fundraising for a Veterans' Memorial to be built in Birchwood Park. Displayed were the concept drawings of the memorial and samples of the granite blocks to be sold to help cover the cost of the Memorial.
PFC Vandermeer then escorted SSGT Smith's family to the monument and they placed a wreath in honor of all our departed comrades.
Post 318's honor guard saluted the dead with a gun salute and Taps.
The ceremony concluded with a thank you to all the participants and those who worked behind the scene to make the program a success.
For those of you who were there .... Thank you For those who missed it.... hope to see you next year.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Memorial Day
Monday is Memorial Day.The weather is forecast to be good. There will be boats on the river, kids in the parks and the smell of grilled foods will permeate every neighborhood.
There will also be veterans in every community honoring their fallen comrades. Memorial Day Ceremonies seem to be gathering of veterans with a few non-veteran citizens thrown in.
Memorial Day is a date set aide to honor and remember those who have died in defense of this great nation. Somehow America has chosen to observe Memorial Day by celebrating the unofficial start of summer.
Look at the Sunday newspaper. Ads for Memorial Day sales for patio furniture, pools and other summertime items abound. Sure there is the usual list of Holiday closures for Monday. Perhaps there is an article on veterans placing flags in a local cemetery. There will be a list of Memorial Day activities. I am willing to bet that the crowd Monday morning at Wal~mart will be larger than the crowd at the local Memorial Day ceremony.
Why? Why can't we postpone the unofficial start to summer until after the morning ceremonies? Why do we have to have a "Memorial Day Weekend? with 3 days of beer and brats combined with roadside safety checks?
Why can't we give up a day of beer and brats for those who gave up everything for us?Why can't we have a single day dedicated to remembering and honoring those who have given their lives for our freedom?
A day of solemn remembrance, a day of thanks, isn't that the minimum we should dedicate to those who have given us our way of life by giving up their lives?
I am certain that between now and Monday Many well meaning people will utter those words I despise...."Happy Memorial Day"
Yes I despise those words. Memorial Day is never happy for me. I have too many memories of too many men who died in service to the United States to be happy. Memorial Day I think about these men. I think about their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families.
You want me to be happy on Memorial Day? Join me and my fellow veterans at a Memorial Day ceremony near you on Monday morning. Don't wish me a happy Memorial Day! Show some respect and honor for my fallen comrades. Do something most Americans don't do on the last Monday in May..... Honor those who have given the last full measure of devotion and made the ultimate sacrifice for us all.
There will also be veterans in every community honoring their fallen comrades. Memorial Day Ceremonies seem to be gathering of veterans with a few non-veteran citizens thrown in.
Memorial Day is a date set aide to honor and remember those who have died in defense of this great nation. Somehow America has chosen to observe Memorial Day by celebrating the unofficial start of summer.
Look at the Sunday newspaper. Ads for Memorial Day sales for patio furniture, pools and other summertime items abound. Sure there is the usual list of Holiday closures for Monday. Perhaps there is an article on veterans placing flags in a local cemetery. There will be a list of Memorial Day activities. I am willing to bet that the crowd Monday morning at Wal~mart will be larger than the crowd at the local Memorial Day ceremony.
Why? Why can't we postpone the unofficial start to summer until after the morning ceremonies? Why do we have to have a "Memorial Day Weekend? with 3 days of beer and brats combined with roadside safety checks?
Why can't we give up a day of beer and brats for those who gave up everything for us?Why can't we have a single day dedicated to remembering and honoring those who have given their lives for our freedom?
A day of solemn remembrance, a day of thanks, isn't that the minimum we should dedicate to those who have given us our way of life by giving up their lives?
I am certain that between now and Monday Many well meaning people will utter those words I despise...."Happy Memorial Day"
Yes I despise those words. Memorial Day is never happy for me. I have too many memories of too many men who died in service to the United States to be happy. Memorial Day I think about these men. I think about their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their families.
You want me to be happy on Memorial Day? Join me and my fellow veterans at a Memorial Day ceremony near you on Monday morning. Don't wish me a happy Memorial Day! Show some respect and honor for my fallen comrades. Do something most Americans don't do on the last Monday in May..... Honor those who have given the last full measure of devotion and made the ultimate sacrifice for us all.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Where will you be on the last Monday in May?
Ah! The last Monday in May is on its way. What a wonderful day. Picnics, cooking out, boats on the water and kids in the pool. Summer is here! It just doesn't get any better than this !
What am I forgetting? Hmm .... The last Monday in May.....Hmm.......
Oh I remember... That is Memorial Day !
Memorial Day, a time to remember.
Remember Lexington
Remember New Orleans
Remember Gettesburg.
Remember the Alamo
Remember Tripoli
Remember Pearl Harbor
Remember D-Day
Remember The Frozen Chosen
Remember Hue
Remember the Pentagon on 9/11
Remember Beirut
Remember Baghdad
Remember Kabul
Remember the men and women who gave their all so that you can enjoy picnics, cooking out, boats on the water and kids in the pool.
Where will you be on Memorial Day this year?
The Morton American Legion Post 318 will host a Memorial Day breakfast from 7 to 10am with a ceremony to follow at 11. This year the ceremony will include a special announcement about a Veterans' Memorial for Morton.
I urge you to attend this Memorial Day and take a few minutes of your weekend to REMEMBER.
What am I forgetting? Hmm .... The last Monday in May.....Hmm.......
Oh I remember... That is Memorial Day !
Memorial Day, a time to remember.
Remember Lexington
Remember New Orleans
Remember Gettesburg.
Remember the Alamo
Remember Tripoli
Remember Pearl Harbor
Remember D-Day
Remember The Frozen Chosen
Remember Hue
Remember the Pentagon on 9/11
Remember Beirut
Remember Baghdad
Remember Kabul
Remember the men and women who gave their all so that you can enjoy picnics, cooking out, boats on the water and kids in the pool.
Where will you be on Memorial Day this year?
The Morton American Legion Post 318 will host a Memorial Day breakfast from 7 to 10am with a ceremony to follow at 11. This year the ceremony will include a special announcement about a Veterans' Memorial for Morton.
I urge you to attend this Memorial Day and take a few minutes of your weekend to REMEMBER.
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