Versailles News: Free to be me

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When we are young we think we have life all figured out and as we mature we realize our lives are not unfolding as we envisioned. Almost monthly I discover another mistakenly preconceived notion of mine and it causes me to realize how little I knew and that I’m not really getting any brighter.

First I was not going to gain weight or grow old, but both things happened and don’t show signs of stopping in the near future. I guess regarding the old age that’s a good thing, but when it comes to weight gain not so much. I also swore I won’t be like my mother but I would have to lie through my teeth to deny that I have become a chip off the old block at least when it comes to her less than stellar traits.

Although not a self made person I am ultimately free to be me. This I owe to my parents and the multitudes that have gone before me. I owe it to my ancestors, the Church, the founders of the United States of America, and the military watch dogs for and enforcers of our freedom. I enjoy what I have today because of the labors of all those who have gone before me and those that do their individualized jobs. I don’t have to be self-sufficient on the farm or sew my own clothing thanks to international trade, agriculture and textile labors. I’ve benefited from the public education system, which many take for granted. And the financial institutions operating with the economic structure of America have given me the opportunity to buy my house, vehicles and own a business.

Truly none of us are self made, we all have benefited from our predecessors and we have a responsibility to perpetuate the process by being productive in the manner in which we are capable. Giving our best with the ability we have to give should be our service to others, even if we don’t see how it is connected to others. Because truly we are connected to one another and by doing our job; whether it is by being a student, farmer or business owner benefits the community, as well as ourselves.

We owe so much to so many and, although not everyone gets their own special day, this Saturday is Veterans Day. A day to remember the brave men and women who served in our armed forces, who at one point in their life wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to and including their life. Whose job had been to protect us regardless of race, color and religion, and whose service has allowed us to live in freedom, a freedom extended not only to the grateful, but also to the ignorant or rebellious that allows protesting and disrespectful behavior towards the flag, the national anthem, and even the President.

A veteran knows freedom isn’t free, but there are way too many people in this country today, who don’t. Most veterans observe Veterans Day not for self-glory but with a grateful heart that the sacrifices of all the veterans throughout history have successfully maintained liberty for the United States of America.

Our veterans deserve our gratitude but quite possibly the best way we can thank our veterans is to be the kind of American worth fighting for.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Mark your calendars for the “open to the public” weekly Bid Euchre Tournament held at the Bunker (below the Vets Club, 106 S. Center St.) every Thursday $5 ante with cash prizes to top three winners. Questions can be directed to Ralph or Diane Kunk at 526-3358.

Don’t forget this Saturday the Boy Scouts will pick up for their annual fall food drive. Make sure you have your donations in a high visible location before 9 a.m. or drop your items off in one of the church drop boxes.

Tonight Versailles kicks off the Christmas season with the Hometown Christmas Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday with Santa at the Eagles Breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. Don’t forget Saturday is the Veterans Day Free Bean Soup Supper from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vets Club and Sunday is the American Legion Auxiliary Chicken Dinner ($7.50) starting at 4 p.m. at the Vets Club.

Happy birthday to MacKenzie Dabe (4), Chad Feitschans II (3), Henry Uhlenhake (3), MacKenzie Dabe (4), Pastor Linda Dulin-Moore, Lilli Cusick, Zachary Weaver, Caitlyn Cusick, Jennifer Hall, Fr. Jim Simons, David Magoteaux, Jessica Griesdorn, Dee Stahl, Lauren Meinke, Maleah Bulcher, Shorty Keller, Carmen Kingrey, Kalyn Justice, Lynn Langston, Karen Kelch, Gene Epperly, Shirley Slyder, Dusty Francis, Shila Magoto, Nina Barga, Marcia Davidson, Nancy (Tom) Subler, Joan Ruschau, Rose Lucas, Kevin Bohman, Janet Garber, Vicky Olwine, Kim Condon, Keith Hartzell, Diliana Miller, Madison Dortsch, Chloe Grilliot, Candy Stump, and Joe Hernandez, as their birthdays approach as well as, anniversary wishes to Caitlin and Tony McNeilan (5), Lori and Jason Hemmelgarn (5), Kelly and Kevin Luthman, Penny and Phillip Elmore, Brenda and Terry Mescher (19), Angie and Scott Armstrong (20), Lisa and Joe Rush (21), Missy and Brad Francis (27), Sherry and Ed Chenoweth (30), Sue and Joe Knapke (36), Dee and Brian Monnin (39), Karen and John Davis (41), Marla and Ed Spencer (47), Mary Jo and Ken Voisard (50), Mary Jean and Paul Meyer (52), Jean and Jack Turpen (52), Rosemary and Jerry Paulus (61).

Please give your supportive and healing prayers to the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for William Pierron, Gary Batty, Ed Bulcher, Jane Huber, Aiden Meyer, Sylvester Meyer, Earl Gigandet, Madison Berger, Anthony Gehret, Terry and Donna Black, Tim Bayless, Pooch Barga (VHCC), Chris Apple, Ruth Wirrig (VHCC), Wilma Heiby (VHCC), Carl DeMange, Rosie Cordonnier, Miriam Harman, Jack Monnin, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer (VHCC), Denny Grilliot, Beverly Brown, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Mary Barga, Anabelle Subler (VHCC), Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard (VHCC), Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Robert “Joe” Best (63), Bill Broering (64), Bruce Weber (70), and Noah Swallow (86) also remembering and keeping in our hearts the lives Dustin Barton, Jerome Bey, Sr., Nicholas DeMange, Duane Saintignon, Norma Stammen, Beulah Fine, Ella Benning, Theresa Alexander, Hilda Glynn, Vivian Wintrow, Ron Dirksen, Deloris Pepple, Ottis Gilmore, Jerry Timmerman, Carl Schutz, Phyllis Magoto, Alma Grilliot, Mary Ware, Bob Poly, Rita Baltes, Bob Tebbe, Ethel Mayo, Wayne McGreevy, Edith Richhart, Charles Francis, Florence Smith, Helen Shappie, Agnes Thiebeau and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

“It’s easy to take liberty for granted when you’ve never had to fight for it.” ~C. Edwards

“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ~Peter Marshall

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By Kathy Magoto

Versailles News

Kathy Magoto is a volunteer citizen columnist, who serves The Daily Advocate readers weekly with her weekly Versailles community column. She can be reached at [email protected] or at 526-3798. Feel free to contact her with Versailles news and tidbits. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

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