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 The services included music by the Mount Pulaski
High School Band, the traditional wreath and flower presentations,
announcement of the winners of Boys State, Girls State, The Sons of
the American Legion Essay Contest, and the announcement of the
winner of the Illinois American Legion State Scholarship.
Matt Bobell offered the Mayoral Address at the beginning of the day.
Bobell welcomed and thanked those in attendance and offered up some
brief comments. In his address he said, “We gather here today
amongst these American flags which have been posted in tribute to
our military and civilian heroes. Many of these flags fly over those
who wore a uniform and gave support to our combat veterans. Some of
these flags fly over those who served in our police and fire
departments. We especially honor those who gave their lives in the
line of duty while serving this great country.
“There are also heroes that we often do not hear or speak about that
we honor today. These heroes are the mothers, fathers, family and
friends and the community of citizens who have supported our
veterans after they have returned home. We can never repay or
replace these brave men and women but we will always remember them.
On behalf of the Mount Pulaski community I would like to say thank
you to those who have served and continue to serve this great
country. It is because of your service that we are able to enjoy the
freedoms we have today. Thank you.”
Phyliss Beccue came forward to introduce various award recipients
for the 2017-18 school year. This year’s Boys State and Girls State
participants were introduced as Sam Van Rheeden and Kaylee Humberd.
Each one had a veteran listed in their family lineage and Beccue
outlined who their parents were and who the veteran was that was
connected to the family.
Boys State
Sam Van Rheeden
Son of Mark and Sally Rheeden.
Sam’s veteran is his grandfather Louis.
Girls State
Haley Humberd (Not present)
Daughter of Diana Murphy and Kevin Humbred.
American Legion Scholarship winners were announced:
Olivia Letterle (Not present)
Daughter of Bryan and Shelley Letterle.
Her veteran family member is Oliver Letterle.
Corey Beccue
Son of Jeff and Jeanie Beccue.
Corey’s veteran family member is his grandfather Ralph Beccue.
The students who were selected winners of the Sons of American
Legion Essay Contest were introduced:
Colt Selinger
Sixth grade
Son of Rich and Jamie Selinger.
Skylar Hayes
High School
Daughter of Steven and Jessica Hayes.
Both were invited to read their essays aloud before the crowd.
The keynote speaker for the day was Colonel Lee Wheeler, Deputy
Commander of the 183rd Air Operation Squadron out of Springfield.
Wheeler is a 40-year career serviceman who has served in six combat
tours.
Col. Wheeler spoke on the Legacy of Freedom.
Wheeler began his speech observing that it was in 1865 when former
slaves gathered on May 1st in Charleston, South Carolina before a
mass grave of 257 Union soldiers. “They gathered to honor and
consecrate the site,” Wheeler said. “They buried the dead with
proper honors, placed spring blossoms upon their graves, and thanked
God for the end of the war and for the freedoms earned through
earthly sacrifice.” Wheeler said that event was the pre-curser of
today’s Memorial Day Observance.
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Wheeler noted that 2018 is the 150th Anniversary of the first
Decoration Day (now known as Memorial Day) Proclamation as made by
Colonel John A. Logan, an Illinoisan, Civil War Veteran, and close
friend to Abraham Lincoln.
In 1868 Logan was the National Commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic, the first veterans organization in the country. Then he
issued the General Order number 11 to the members of the GAR,
calling for a remembrance of the 364,000 Union casualties to be held
on May 30th 1868. This was called Decoration Day.
On that day in 1868, all the country was to observe and remember
lost soldiers in a similar manner, as that first Decoration Day in
1865.
One hundred years later, Decoration Day was expanded to recognize
the fallen of World War I and after World War II the tradition
continued, but became more widely known as Memorial Day. It was
during the height of the Viet Nam War in 1968 that the federal
designation was afforded to Memorial Day and the official national
date of memoriam was set down as the last Monday in May.
The first Memorial Day Holiday was then observed in 1971.
Wheeler moved into more modern times, talking about the nearly
20,000 soldiers and airmen of the Illinois National Guard that have
been deployed in the global war against terror. “In seventeen years
we have lost 33 soldiers and 1 airmen. We are committed to the
memory of those men and women and to the continued support of loved
ones left behind,” he said.
Wheeler continued saying, “Memorial day weekend signifies many
things. For those of us in uniform, the day carries extra weight.
The memory of those before us, those men and women who paid the
ultimate price for freedom is a little closer to home today. The
spirit of today, Memorial Day, is something special, something
powerful, that bridges 150 years of history to connect all of us to
the men and women who gave their lives in defense of the values we
hold dear in this country."
Wheeler concluded his speech saying it would bring the day a little
closer to home. He recounted the life of a young man who born in
southern Illinois moved into the Mount Pulaski community prior to
World War I. Dr. Herbert D. Ryman lived in Mount Pulaski when he
went off to war. He served as a medical professional on the combat
front. During an attempt to save the life of a wounded solider, Dr.
Ryman was mortally wounded.
After his death, Ryman was awarded the second highest Military
award, the Distinguished Service Cross. The American Legion Post in
Mount Pulaski pays tribute to Ryman and another local soldier as it
bears the name the Ryman-Fuiten American Legion Post.
The laying of the wreath ceremony was conducted with several
organizations participating.
Wreaths were laid by the children of the community, Mayor Matt
Bobell, Ralph Beccue on behalf of the Ryman-Fuiten American Legion,
a representative of the Scroggin-Gee VFW, American Legion Auxiliary
Past President Dorothy Mason, the VFW Auxiliary, Sons of the
American Legion, Mount Pulaski Phoenix Fire Department by Chief John
Aylesworth, Mount Pulaski EMS representative Julie Clampet, and the
local Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts.
The Mount Pulaski High School Band played, led by director David
Helm. After the services had concluded, Helm talked briefly about
the importance of the day to his band members and himself.
Helm said that he has been directing the band for the
last 10 years and has participated with his students every year. He
noted that it is a long standing tradition for the band to perform
at the Memorial Day services at both the Mount Pulaski Cemetery and
the Steenbergen Cemetery.
He noted that in preparation for the day, he and his class always
talk about the meaning of Memorial Day and the importance of
remembering those who have served our country. He noted that they
also talk about being of service to the community. Helm expressed
that he wants his students to understand the importance of being a
part of the community on the whole and serving to the best of their
ability.
Another interesting point, there has been a Phoenix Fire Department
in Mount Pulaski since 1885. Greg Holmes of the department noted
that the Mount Pulaski Phoenix Fire Department was first formed in
1885 and has served the community continually since that time.
[Nila Smith & Mitch Douglas]
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