Gladbrook Legionnaires Loran Frericks, left, and Dennis Haack, right, salute the flag as the National Anthem is performed (off camera) by soloist David Buskohl during the Memorial Day Service held at All Veterans Memorial Park in Gladbrook on Monday, May 25, 2026. Frericks, a Vietnam Veteran, raised the American flag this year as part of the ceremony. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK – The Gladbrook American Legion Ehrig-McTurk Post 127 along with the Auxiliary and Lincoln AMVETS Post 10 welcomed more than 50 people to the annual Memorial Day Service held at Gladbrook’s All Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, May 25. Ahead of the service, which took place under a brilliant blue sky and was buffeted by strong southern winds, short services were conducted at 15 Mile Grove (Lincoln Township), Maple Hill, Badger Hill, Chapel, Union Grove, Union Grove Lake, Crystal, and Gethmann cemeteries.

Prior to the service at Memorial Park which began at 11 a.m., June Bessman played patriotic songs on the electric keyboard.

Following the opening prayer by Air Force Veteran Rev. John Granchie of Peace Church, the American flag was raised by Legionnaire Loran Frericks, a Vietnam Veteran and lifelong resident of Gladbrook. Flags representing all service branches were raised in tandem by Legionnaires and AMVETS members. The National Anthem was performed by soloist David Buskohl.

Rev. Granchie also provided the formal address (printed in full at the conclusion of this article) after which Gladbrook American Legion Auxiliary President Jeanne Paustian laid a wreath at the foot of the marble stone memorial dedicated to area servicemembers who have died in action during war. Buskohl then led the audience in a stirring performance of “God Bless America” that saw many rise to their feet and clasp hands with those seated nearby.

The service ended with the Honor Guard and Firing Squad of Merlyn Applegate, Jim Gethmann, Dennis Haack, Bob Knaack, Paul Koester, John Lohse, Leo Lohse, James Quisberg, Russ Rosenberger, Terry Schmitz, Jim Schneider, and Tony Sienknecht standing at a attention before firing the three-volley salute.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Taps was played by Gladbrook-Reinbeck Class of 2026 graduate Leila Thesing.

Prior to the service, ALA member Chris Hickman distributed memorial booklets and Junior Auxiliary member Kinley Miller passed out poppies.

Following the service, the Gladbrook Auxiliary Unit hosted a dinner downtown at the Memorial Building.

Rev. Granchie’s Memorial Day Address

Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868. It was originally known as “Decoration Day” because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves.

Members of the Gladbrook American Legion Ehrig-McTurk Post 127 and Lincoln AMVETS Post 10 pictured near the Tama County Freedom Rock at Gladbrook’s All Veterans Memorial Park during Monday’s Memorial Day Service. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

After WWI, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America’s wars. And in 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday.

That’s what it is supposed to be all about, but what do people usually do on this weekend? Well, they go on picnics, they go to the beach, they spend time with their families and have cookouts and so on.

But today I want to look ahead for a moment if I may to July 4 – this July is our 250th anniversary as a free country. In July of 1776, true patriots who originally thought it impossible made it possible. The USA remains today because there were true patriots over the years who sacrificed everything so this country could continue to have the freedoms and privileges we now enjoy.

Nothing comes easy in life. It usually requires a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Thus it requires inconvenience, suffering, and sacrifice. Eternal life for us cost Jesus Christ His life! And the things of this life will also cost us. But in the end it can be well worth it. What are some of the costs that have been paid for us to enjoy the freedoms and privileges we have in the USA?

Think about this, before the United States, no other country allowed its citizens to challenge and change the government. To attempt to do so was to sign one’s death warrant. A good many of our founders did indeed lose all that was sacred and dear to them including families, fortunes, and lives, because they signed the Declaration. But to them, it was still worth it. They set the example for their descendants, including us. With the Revolutionary War won, they and others kept vigil for our freedoms. Many Americans willingly lost their lives and continue to do so in the pursuit of freedom for all. It’s not a perfect society yet, and likely won’t be until God makes it so.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

So as we look today at this memorial celebration, there are a few that will attempt to remember. In cemeteries across the nation, small groups of people will gather and observe a memorial service. There will be prayers and musicians will play taps. Many tears and memories will fill the faces of family members as they remember these fallen heroes.

Now, I’m not saying we necessarily need to feel guilty for not attending such activities. My point is that Memorial Day doesn’t have the impact it once had. And because people don’t observe Memorial Day like they once did – sadly it has lost much of the meaning it once had – we have become a country that has forgotten where we came from and how much was given for our freedoms we take for granted.

Memorial Day is a time each year when we pause to remember those who laid down their lives for our great nation and freedoms we enjoy. One week after the Pearl Harbor attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Those who long enjoy such privileges that we enjoy forget in time that others have died to win them.” Freedom is never really free; it’s almost always bought with the blood of patriots.

We enjoy a lot of freedom in our country.

We are free to attend what church we worship at churches.

U.S. Air Force Veteran Rev. John Granchie of Peace Church salutes as the flag is raised. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

We are free to choose our occupation when we grow up.

We are free to choose what state and city or country we want to live.

We are free to choose most of the things that affect our daily lives and yet so many take it for granted. So many young people never give thought to those who gave all.

Yes, we enjoy our freedom, but that freedom isn’t free. When a person has enlisted in the Armed Forces, they repeat the following oath: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Men and women gave their lives to pay the price for the freedom that you and I enjoy. These men and women volunteer to leave home and family to protect the many freedoms we treasure. Our freedom of religion, of speech, the right to bear arms, and all civil liberties codified in the Bill of Rights are defended and protected by our military.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

To quote former Senator Fred Thompson, “This wouldn’t be the land of the free if it were not the home of the brave.” It is good and proper for us to thank God for the men and women who have sacrificially loved each of us through their military service.

On this Memorial Day, we will pause in a few moments and remember those who have died in service to our country, our freedom, our security, and our choices. Not everyone in the world has the privileges that we have. We have them because of the lives that have been offered.

I urge you to remember what this day is all about, not just today but daily as you live out your life in a free country.

I urge you to thank all the veterans who are still alive and honor them by being a gracious friend and neighbor to those in need.

It is not just a picnic, a pool party, a day off of work or school. It should be regarded as a civil obligation to take some time on Memorial Day to reflect and remember what those fallen heroes have done for us.

This is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. We do this by honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.

So today we honor and thank the men and women who have given their all for us. 

Listen to these words by Charles M. Province:

“It is the Soldier, not the reporter,

Who has given us Freedom of the Press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet,

Who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,

Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,

Who has given us the right to a fair trial;

And it is the Soldier–who salutes the flag,

Who serves the flag, and

Whose coffin is draped by the flag–

Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

Please join me in a moment of silence as we all remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Gladbrook Legionnaire Richard Denbow, center, clasps hands with those around him while “God Bless America” is performed as part of the Memorial Day Service at All Veterans Memorial Park. Denbow is a past American Legion commander of county, district and state, as well as a past national vice commander. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER