The American flag was raised by Joey Wegner and Lee Wegner Groth in honor of their late father and Past Department Commander, Carroll Wegner. Pictured with Joey and Lee is Gladbrook Legion Commander Terry Schmitz.

The Gladbrook/Lincoln area Memorial Day Services were conducted on a very rainy day, May 25th. The service was coordinated by the Avenue of Flags Committee of the Gladbrook American Legion & Auxiliary and Lincoln AMVETS and Auxiliary.

Pastor Carol Kress of the Gladbrook UMC gave the address for our veterans at the 15 Mile Grove Cemetery, Maple Hill Cemetery, Badger Hill Cemetery, Chapel Cemetery, Union Grove Cemetery, Union Grove Beach (for those lost at sea) Crystal Cemetery, and Gethmann Cemetery. At these services there were laying of wreaths, honor guard & firing squad and TAPS.

By the time 11:00 rolled around, the sky had cleared and the weather was very pleasant for the large service held at the Gladbrook All-Veterans Memorial. A nice crowd enjoyed the service of remembrance by sitting on their lawn chairs in front of the two beautiful black marble stones.

After Pastor Kress began the program with a prayer, the G-R Band played the “National Anthem” and Legionnaires raised the flags. The American flag was raised by Joey Wegner & Lee Wegner Groth in honor of their late father and Past Department Commander, Carroll Wegner.

Pastor Kress started her address entitled “Glory and Danger” by reading three scriptures:

Gladbrook Auxiliary President Jeanne Paustian (left) and AMVET Auxiliary President Karen Lage place wreaths in front of the two veterans stones.

“Be on your guard: stand firm in the faith: be men of courage: be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do

not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4″

She continued: “This day is designated as “The National Day of Remembrance Memorial Day.” It is set aside to assure the citizens of these United States will remember. We are to remember those who are currently in the Armed Forces, and others who have served in the Military. It is most important on this day to be mindful of those who died in the line of service for our God-given freedoms.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck band played for the Memorial Day Service.

Thucydides, was a Greek philosopher. He said, “The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike and yet not withstanding, they go out to meet it.”

The military personnel of our country came from all walks of life, but they aspired to share characteristics such as courage, pride, determination, duty and readiness to serve Those are characteristics which lead to the ability to fulfill the vision of Thucydides by readily going out to meet glory and danger.

Lt. Burl Sloan of Brandon, Iowa, was a cousin of my father and a neighbor of my mother. He enlisted in the Army in December, 1940. In 1944 he was assigned overseas to Europe. He was killed in action on April 12, 1945, near Barby, Germany, while on a reconnaissance mission with the Ninth Army. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Gold Star. Burl was buried in the Netherlands.

Those left to remember him include a wife, Margaret and a daughter, Margaret Lynn. He left also his grieving parents, four siblings, and members of the community of Brandon. Thank you for letting me tell you about him. Always on Memorial Day our family remembers and speaks of him. Now I invite you to remember him along with the ones whom you honor in your thoughts and hearts. All of these brave Americans were called to serve our nation and to be a part of something larger than what we can fully comprehend.

Since the commencement of the Revolutionary War when those first shots were fired in Lexington and Concord until this hour, the men and women of this free land have arose to answer the call of duty. They too have faced glory and danger. And we trust the generations of young Americans willing to step into military service will not stop but continue on into the future.

Rev. Carol Kress of the Gladbrook United Methodist Church was the speaker at the Gladbrook Memorial Day Service held on Monday, May 25, at the All Veterans Memorial.

School students have been taught the origin of Memorial Day is rooted in the ashes of the Civil War. At least 600,000 Americans died in that historic conflict. Through the course of war, Union and Confederate soldiers blasted at each other’s lines and burned each other’s cities. They confined each other in Prisoner of War Camps and they destroyed rail lines. Buildings and homes from Antietam to Vicksburg were riddled with bullet holes. The destruction our ancestors suffered changed America’s view of war.

At the conclusion of this great conflict people of faith, were leaders in our national healing. One small but powerful step was taken through setting aside one spring day to honor the fallen soldiers. On that day communities organize to clean cemeteries and place flowers on grave of fallen soldiers.

It is said that the churches in one Mississippi town made a point of decorating and honoring ALL the graves of soldiers, both from the north and south. It was their stated prayer that a the churches of the north would remember to clean and place flowers at the graves of those southern, Confederate troops who died and were buried far away from home. These small gestures and simple prayers are important. Theirs brought wholeness to our great nation.

I know from the experience of my family that the Pentagon can hand out Purple Hearts and Golden Stars and other medals to grieving families. But nothing can replace the hole left behind by a fallen service. But our willingness to offer our thanks and to pay our respects do comfort those who were left behind.

As I conclude, I’d like the service members and veterans who are present to raise their hands. We offer our thanks to you. You answered the call to duty and you made our armed forces the most respected in the world.

I ask the family members of any service personnel to raise your hand. We know you have lived through difficult times. Thank you for what you have done.

People throughout the United States are gathering to remember, honor and pay respects to the troops in our land. Our ceremony is just one spark in the flame of pride that burns across the nation. Let us unite our tribute with all others that span this nation. May the resulting flame burn strong and true.

We remember the soldiers who shivered and starved through the winter at Valley Forge, to the Dough boys who crouched in the muddy trenches of France, to the platoons who patrolled the jungle of Vietnam. Let us not forget current members of the Armed Forces who are serving abroad, especially those in Afghanistan and other potentially hot spots around the globe. We do remember, honor and thank all who have risen to the nation’s call to duty. Thank you. Bless you. May God keep you safe.

Thanks to everyone who has made this day possible. God bless you, your families. God bless our troops. God bless America.”

Two poppy and clover wreaths were laid in front of the two veterans stones by Gladbrook Auxiliary President Jeanne Paustian and AMVET Auxiliary President Karen Lage.

The service concluded by the G-R Band playing “Beautiful America” and “From Sea to Shinning Sea” followed by the benediction, the salute by the firing squad, and TAPS. G-R musician Sam Cahalan played the TAPS. Members of the Honor Guard & Firing Squad included from the Lincoln AMVETS Jim Schneider and Doug Sienknecht and from the Gladbrook American Legion Leo Lohse, Bob Knaack, Don Hein, Terry Schmitz, Roger Sievers, Dan Steen, Craig Russell, Dick Denbow, Loren Frerichs, Jim Bush, Ron Busch, Sam Martens, Russ Rosenberger, and Dennis Haack and from the SAL David Smith and Brady Swenson.

Poppies and program books, with all the veterans listed from all the cemeteries, were distributed by Jo Lage and Chris Hickman.

Many enjoyed the Memorial Day dinner hosted by the Gladbrook Legion & Auxiliary at the Memorial Building.