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 Among those in the group was a large number of
Marines from the local Marine Corps League. The local League assists
the church with the breakfast each year. Also on hand was Mike Fulk,
Patriot Guard Commander, who came ahead of time and lined the
driveways and area around the church with flags.
The day began with volunteers from the church
greeting veterans as they arrived. Each veteran or widow was given a
red carnation boutonniere/corsage and assisted in finding a seat at
one of the many tables set up.
In the kitchen, volunteers were busy wrapping up the last bits of
breakfast preparation. For them the day had begun at around 6:30
a.m. with the preparation of scrambled eggs, sausage gravy,
biscuits, bacon, sausage patties, toast, hash browns, and pancakes.
As guests arrived, volunteers were busy filling coffee cups or
serving juice or bottled water.
When the nine o’clock hour arrived, the day was
called to order. Mike Horath presented the American flag and the
pledge of allegiance was recited. Christian Village Chaplain Ryan
Edgecombe offered up the morning prayer.
The guests then enjoyed special patriotic music performed by Jeaneen
Brown and Mattie and Ryan Foreaker. The first song was a medley of
military themes.
The young people Mattie and Ryan sang the marching
songs for each division of the military. As they sang, those who had
served in that branch rose and sang along. A second patriotic song
was performed by Brown. Then it was time to
fill plates and enjoy the morning meal. Veterans lined up to
assemble a breakfast to their liking. Those who were unable to get
in line were served by the volunteers of the church.
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After breakfast, Marsha Fernandes thanked the veterans all for
coming. She asked that each one stand (if possible) and tell their
names and their military branch and rank. As they did so, she and
Mike Fuller presented each veteran with a gift, a white hanky
decorated with their personal branch of the military.
Among the men and women in the room, some shared a little bit about
their service. One veteran recalled that he left the service the
first time in 1946. He had ended his tour of duty in Occupied Japan,
but then he returned to active duty in 1951.
One Marine shared that he had been active in Dessert Storm and
another said he is currently serving. Darius Knauer was among the
veterans in the room this year and shared that he had been in the
Army and served in Korea.
One veteran said that he was 11 years old at the bombing of Pearl
Harbor. He recalls specifically asking his dad to tell him what war
was. He said his father explained it to him, and it struck a spark.
The young child began studying war and as he did, his patriotism
grew. So, it seemed a natural transition that as a young adult he
should enlist and serve his country.
Another veteran joked that he was career military, serving a total
of 20 years. He then concluded “now they pay me a little bit each
month to leave them alone!”
One veteran widow said that her husband was in the military from
1940 to 1945. She recalled that at that time Fort Brag was not
really built. She said that the soldiers lived in tent cities
because there were no barracks. She also shared that her husband
served in Africa and it was there he earned his silver star. Had he
lived, she said, this year her husband would have been 100 years
old.
Marine Veteran Jim Harnacke shared that a member of his family had
been in every American war except the Civil War as at that time his
family had not yet immigrated to America. For Harnacke military
service is a family tradition.
Another veteran said he served in the Viet Nam era state side, and
he spent time doing duty as riot control for the anti-war protests
in Chicago.
At the end of the day, members of the Marine Corps League talked
briefly about some of the service programs they are involved with in
Logan County.
It was shared that Memorial Hospital has introduced a military
hospice program. The program is being piloted in Sangamon and Logan
Counties and is aimed as giving honor and comfort to veterans in
their last days. Included in the program is a new “military
beatitudes,” which was read aloud Saturday by Marine veteran and
leader of the local Hays-Krell Military Order of the Purple Heart.
It was also mentioned that the Marines offer a large number of other
services for aging veterans including wheel chairs and walkers,
hospital beds and even wheelchair ramps.
After the Marines finished, the day was dismissed with a closing
prayer offered by Bob Johnson.
As guests exited the building, last good-byes, expressions of
thanks, and lots of hugs were offered to the departing veterans.
As noted already, this is the fifth year for the annual breakfast at
the church. The tradition was started by parishioner Marsha
Fernandes who felt a strong desire to honor our local military as a
tribute to the long heritage of military service in her own family.
Fernandes’ father was a veteran. Earlier this year he went home to
the Lord, but his legacy lives on through his daughter and her
undying devotion to honor all veterans. Thanks to Marsha for sharing
her love and patriotism with all our local veterans.
[Nila Smith] |
