Honoring and remembering: American Legion, VFW host Memorial Day program

Chester's 2022 Memorial Day Service was held Monday, May 30, at the American Legion Post 487 in Chester. VFW Post 3553 in Chester shared the program components with the Legion to provide a top-notch event for Memorial Day.

This year's event included a Memorial Tree designed by Farida and Lee Hollaway as away to honor and remember local departed veterans.

Guests were encouraged to sign the name, rank, and location of departed veterans on a black index card and attach it to the tree in the American Legion Club Room using a poppy.

The service began with a warm welcome from Randy Werner, American Legion Post 487 Commander. The Chester High School Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, performed the national anthem as everyone stood at attention.

The Rev. Bud Lawless, chaplain of the Randolph County Marine Corps League, Detachment 575, opened the service with a heartfelt invocation.

Werner and Senior Vice Commander Dale Volle of Chester VFW Post 3553 then placed the traditional Memorial Day Wreath at the table of the fallen soldier positioned at the front of the hall.

"Thank You to everyone in attendance for being here to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country," Volle said.

To maintain the mood, the Chester High School Band performed "Ashoken Farewell" much to the liking of everyone in attendance.

Representing the City of Chester was Councilman J.D. Maes. "Thank you to everyone in attendance including the veterans, the Chester High School Band, the members of the VFW, and the American Legion," Maes said. "We should remember that today is actually a day of memorial, not a day of celebration."

Maes referred to a quote from James Allen who said, "No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks." Maes stressed that returning thanks to those who have fallen in defense of America is of utmost importance.

Another tradition on the program was the playing of the "Armed Forces Medley" by the CHS band. This song consists of a series of theme songs from all of the branches of the United States Armed Forces - Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and Navy.

As each of the theme songs was played, a member of that branch of service came forward carrying the flag of the respective branch and other members of that branch stood and saluted the flag as the song continued. Once the theme song was completed, another branch of service was represented until all theme songs were completed.

The audience was very appreciative of the servicemen and women in attendance who stood to be recognized.

Guest speaker Shane Wagner, a local author and historian, then spoke on Abraham Lincoln and what he considered to be his most important words, which were written and never spoken. While most Americans think of the Gettysburg Address as Lincoln's most important speech, Wagner referenced his State of the Union document of December 1, 1862.

At that time, the State of the Union address was presented in writing and read aloud by the Secretary of the Senate. The document was 8,400 words long and contained mostly routine issues of the country. What Wagner found most interesting was what Lincoln wrote at the end of his address, which addressed the possible repercussions of the Civil War the country was currently embattled in.

Lincoln wrote of our country: "We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last, best hope of earth." In reflecting on the issues facing our country today, Wagner noted that we face real challenges and that fixing the country begins at the local level. He asked if we are building a country deserving of the sacrifice of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Werner and Volle then read the Roll Call of Departed Veterans from June 2019 until May of 2022. That list of 28 departed veterans from Chester included:

Frank Benedict, Elijah Brown, Donald Derickson, Waldo Delassus, Ray Dettmer, Louis Gerlach, Dale Holloman, Harold Howie, Harry Jones, Delbert Koch, Glenn Korando, Olin Misselhorn, Armin Montroy, Francis Montroy, Harry Montroy, Robert Mueller, Delbert Neimeyer, Glenn Ohlau, David Otten, Roger Petrowske, Joe Racine, Delbert Rubach, Donald Sickmeyer, Ed Smith, Charles Tieman, Charles Tripp, Jerald Walter, and Frank Derickson.

Immediately following the roll call, a combined American Legion and VFW Firing Squad presented a 21-gun salute, followed by CHS graduate Luke Miller playing taps and "America the Beautiful" by the CHS band.

A luncheon was served at the conclusion of the program by the American Legion Auxiliary.