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Veterans, along with family and friends, gathered
at the American Legion in Lincoln on Sunday evening for a
celebration sponsored by St. John United Church of Christ Veterans
Committee and Community Volunteers.
After a wonderful meal and fellowship, the crowd
enjoyed a program lead by Master of Ceremonies, Keith Snyder.
The entertainment started with an Armed Forces
Medley led by Brittney McLaughlin and Brandon Davis. Veterans stood
up to be recognized when the song of their service branch was sung:
Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
Welcomed back to the stage for a commanding
performance were Lincoln’s own Andrews sisters: Sheralyn Bolton,
Brittney McLaughlin, and Lesleigh Bennett. The trio delighted the
audience with the songs “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Boogie Woogie
Bugle Boy.” Bennett remained on the stage, alone to share “I’ll Be
Seeing You.”
A group of performers, calling themselves the H.O.T. Junior
Ensemble, took to the stage to share a couple of songs they had
learned this summer during a Lincoln Community Theatre workshop.
Members of the ensemble are Sadie Bolton, Zildjian Bolton, Ben
Crombie, Collin Crombie, Marin Crombie, Owen Roemer, Eli Roemer, and
Ella Roemer. Under the direction of Tim Searby and Sheralyn Bolton,
the young group, singing “We’re Gonna Put on a Show” and “Yankee
Doodle Dandy,” did not disappoint bringing a smile to all in
attendance.
Skylar Hayes, honor student and sports superstar from Mount Pulaski
High School, spoke about her reflections on heroes.
Reflections on Heroes
I decided to enter a writing contest at the American Legion in Mount
Pulaski on the topic of “What Memorial Day means to me.” Memorial
Day has always been something I used only from a historical
perspective. There has been no loss in my family due to war, no
family photos of men or women in uniform. There are no war stories
to tell or war memories to share. All that I knew about Memorial Day
came from text books and teachers.
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 Memorial Day was a day when
flags flew at half mast, flowers were placed on the graves of loved
ones, and flags appeared on the tombstones in cemeteries. I did
learn in school that it became a federal holiday in 1971. Troubling
me when I wrote the essay was that this holiday had to be about more
than having a day off school.
This year because of the choice of a very close family member of
mine I have been enlightened about the true meaning of these
holidays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, meant to honor those who
have serviced our country in uniform.
In April, my cousin, Ian Herzog, graduated Navy bootcamp. During the
last seven months, I’ve watched as my Aunt Gretchen and her family
spent weeks not knowing how Ian was doing except for a quick phone
call here and there.
When I found out my cousin was going to join the Navy, I began to
cry. These were not sad tears; these were tears of pride. The pride
I felt for the sacrifice he was willing to make was overwhelming and
the gratitude I suddenly felt for all the men and women who
sacrificed their lives for all of us was magnified by this
realization.
I made the giant leap to understand that not all heroes wear capes.
I learned another important aspect of military sacrifice that most
people don’t understand. It is not only the men and women in uniform
that make huge sacrifices. To all the families who carry on when
your service member is away, let me make sure we all say, “Thank
you.” Your sacrifice has been no less. You’ve cared for your family
and kept your home ready for your hero to walk through the door.
Now, with a personal military connection, I understand and
appreciate the magnitude of the sacrifice that all these men and
women give in laying down their lives for us in this country. I am
proud to be here tonight to say, “Thank you for your sacrifice and
your service. God bless you and God bless America.”
To conclude the evening, Dave Helm sang, “God Bless the U.S.A” made
popular by recording artist Lee Greenwood.
Pastor Laurie Hill shared these words, “Because of you we were able
to worship this morning in freedom, because of you we are able to
speak freely anywhere in our country, because of you we have all
these wonderful freedoms that so many people around the world don’t
have. Thank you for all your service and your sacrifice so that we
might enjoy these freedoms.”
And, the Lincoln Area Music Society Ensemble sang
“God Bless America.”
Originally called Armistice Day, Americans remembered the end of
World War 1 after an agreement was made to end the fighting between
the Allies and Germany. The first observance of Armistice Day took
place on November 11, 1919.
At the urging of Veterans organizations, the name of the holiday was
changed to Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day is observed all over
America on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour to thank
everyone who has sacrificed for freedom.
[Lisa Ramlow] |
