The annual Van Wert American Legion Post 178 Memorial Day service at Woodland Cemetery focused on teaching, learning, and understanding the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The keynote speaker, Stephanie Renner, a teacher and Veterans Day program coordinator at Lincolnview, delivered a powerful message to the well-attended ceremony on a cool, windy, and cloudy Memorial Day morning.
“To many, Memorial Day seems just another holiday off work,” Renner said. “Do our children really know what today means? Do they understand the profound impact of losing someone they love who chose to selflessly serve others? This is why understanding Memorial Day is crucial, not only for our youth but for our community. We must come together to remember, support those who are grieving, and acknowledge all who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect people they would never meet.”
“On Memorial Day, we remember the fallen who gave their lives for our nation,” she continued. “We honor their bravery, sacrifice, and dedication given in the line of duty. What were their sacrifices for we don’t remember our veterans?”
“Our future generations need to be taught what it truly means to be a veteran and what they sacrificed to serve our country, leaving behind their families, friends, and jobs, and doing so without expecting anything in return.”
She also emphasized the importance of asking veterans about their stories so that future generations will remember what they did to make the United States the greatest country in the world.
During her speech, Renner spoke of her great-grandfather, Lawrence Gehres, who served in World War I, and her grandfathers, Vernon C. Kill, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and Richard Gehres, a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy. She mentioned that Kill was a man who would do anything for those he loved, but he passed away long before she had the chance to meet him.
“Although he did not die on a battlefield, the injuries he sustained in World War II ultimately cost him his life,” Renner said. “From reading his letters home to speaking with family members, I learned that my grandfather made tremendous sacrifices while serving in World War II. These sacrifices earned him many medals and commendations, including two Purple Hearts.”
Renner recounted how Kill tried to save as many of his men as possible when he was shot on a bridge by a Nazi tank. After barely surviving his injuries, he chose to return to the front line and was wounded again.
Renner also shared that she lost her other grandfather on Memorial Day in 2011 and called him one of the most important people in her life.
“He was extraordinary and taught me so many things, including my love for this country and the importance of honoring our veterans,” Renner stated. “He was so special to me that I brought him in for show-and-tell when I was in elementary school on a day when we were supposed to bring in something that meant the most to us.”
Renner shared that those who knew her grandfather affectionately called him "Grandpa Chubby." He often took his family to parades, celebrations, and programs to honor veterans, demonstrating how they should be revered. She also recounted the emotional events of May 30, 2011, the day her grandfather, Gehres, passed away. He had planned to attend the Memorial Day program but called to say he wasn’t feeling well. An ambulance was called, and he was taken to the hospital.
“They informed us he had a massive heart attack and they were not sure how he even survived,” Renner said. “Lutheran Lifeflight was called due to the extent of the damage to get him to the hospital in Fort Wayne as quickly as possible. The flight crew said they ‘had the most special passenger aboard, a World War II veteran.’ Grandpa thought that was wonderful as he always loved flying."
“When we left the hospital to head to Lutheran, my grandpa gave my mom a thumbs up and said, ‘Don’t forget to put my flag out before you head to Lutheran.’ Despite everything, he was worried about not having a flag up. Little did we know that within the next few minutes, he would have a second heart attack. The Lifeflight nurse never stopped doing compressions on my grandpa the entire flight and later told us all he wanted to do was save this World War II veteran on Memorial Day.”
“Memorial Day is so important, and we must make it our duty to preserve this day of remembrance for those who come after us,” she added.
American Legion Post 178 Commander Ken Myers provided opening remarks, noting that veterans have three significant days they both look forward to and dread: Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday of May), Veterans Day (November 11), and Memorial Day (the final Monday of May).
“Today is Memorial Day, and we celebrate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives for our freedom,” Myers said. “While most will be celebrating with a barbecue or get-together, please take a moment to pay tribute to those no longer here to enjoy this day.”
Monday’s service also included patriotic music by the Paul Hoverman Group, the Placing of the Wreath by Renner and her son Carter Renner, a 21-gun salute and taps, the invocation and benediction by Dick Elder, and the firing of one cannon volley in honor of Civil War veterans who died in combat.
After the ceremony, a free luncheon was held at Post 178.
In addition to the ceremony in Van Wert, other services were held around the area, including Ohio City, Convoy, Willshire, and Venedocia.
No comments:
Post a Comment