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The Cronin Brothers VFW Post 1756
hosted its annual Veteran’s Day observance on Wednesday with a
considerably smaller crowd than in years past. The morning began at
10:30 with VFW Post Commander Bill Stauffer welcoming everyone. He
offered up introductions of veteran officers present. This included
American Legion Post 263 Commander and Marine Corps League District
4 Commander Gene Hickey, Past Department Commander for the FVW Vince
Long who was in the kitchen as usual, Past District Commander of VFW
District 10 Michelle Ramlow Harnacke, and Past Department President
of the VFW Auxiliary Janet Long who was also in the kitchen.
Stauffer recognized the American
Legion Color Guard who would later perform the three-shot volley and
thanked the Patriot Guard Riders for the installation of flags
outside the building for the day.
All were called to rise for the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and remain standing for the
National Anthem sung by Lesleigh Bennett.
The guest speaker for the day was
Past District Commander District 10 Michelle Ramlow Harnacke. She
noted, “We gather because freedom is not free, it is not
self-sustaining, it requires ordinary citizens to step forward,
leave the comfort of their homes, and face extraordinary dangers.”
During her speech, she spoke of our local history as a city
christened by Abraham Lincoln with the juice of a watermelon before
his career in the White House where he worked to preserve the union
of the United States of America. She noted that it was completely
fitting that the city named for Lincoln should embrace its veterans
as Lincoln had embraced bringing the nation back together and taking
care of those who had defended it.
They left behind the familiar sights of the square, the local farm
and the familiar comfort of the family dinner to represent us in the
branches of service. She said they didn’t sign up for glory or
wealth, but because of a deep loyalty to our country and the passion
to preserve it.
She said that VFW is in its 127th year of service. The VFW continued
to serve veterans, and the national theme for this year is “Veterans
helping veterans and their families.” The theme captures the heart
of what the local VFW does right here in the community, being
support for all veterans and their families. She said “Uniformed
service does not have an expiration date. When uniformed service
takes off the uniform, it does not stop serving. They simply find a
new way to protect their brothers and sisters in arms right here at
home.” She went on to share the services of the local VFW with
service projects, community dinners, and a quiet place and shoulder
for troubled soldiers to lean upon.
She said the best way to serve local veterans was not with a
handshake on November 11, but by standing beside them on November
12th and every other day of the year, by showing appreciation and
support and a helping hand when help is needed.
She said that supporting veterans was assuring that no veteran in
our community ever felt forgotten.
She went on to speak about the families of the soldiers. The service
extended to the families because they held it together at home,
enduring the loneliness, the missed birthdays, and anxiously waited
for phone calls and emails from their military loved ones.
The VFW understands that when a person serves in the military, the
family serves with them, and the community should recognize that
too.
She concluded with a challenge to the people, “Let us build a
community where our actions match our words.”
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Following Ramlow Harnacke’s speech,
there was the laying of the wreath by VFW Post Auxiliary President
Theresa Pourchot. The American Legion Color Guard then assembled
outside the for the three-shot volley and traditional playing of
taps.
Stauffer delivered the benediction
and dismissed the crowd for the day.
Immediately following the service
was the annual ham & bean lunch with everyone invited to participate
in exchange for a donation.
[Nila Smith] |
