This year’s Memorial Day services were exceptionally profound. The speeches seemed to impact me significantly, as well as seeing the area veterans in attendance to pay respect for their fallen comrades and gratitude for their sacrifice.
Each speaker; Mayor Subler, Jerome Bey, Jr., Father Ron Haft and Dr. Vivian Blevins reiterated words of reverence and gratitude for those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we enjoy — a debt which we can never repay. Dr. Blevins read the words of Captain Robert Tweed who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His words described the horrors and outrageous of the war against Germany. The words were raw, and chilling. Words of things that were seen but never spoken upon his return, but are now being recorded more than 70 years later, through the efforts of Dr. Blevins.
Upon hearing his account I began to count my blessings, from having freedom of religion and speech, to all the luxuries that fill my daily life. Undoubtedly, we as a society have never had it so well. Everyone that returns from war comes back with memories that can forever change them. Most veterans bury those memories and rebury them when they resurface. It seems only in advanced age can they open the floodgates of their memories. Those memories which although decades old are as vivid and poignant as the day they occurred.
In today’s world of Facebook, Twitter, texting and other electronic media we cannot imagine keeping anything to ourselves. But fortunately for us these men are now sharing their experiences and Blevins and her students at Edison State Community College are recording them for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. These veterans offer historical data from survivors that witnessed the evils of war without the glamour of Hollywood.
We will surely live a blessed life if we never see another war in our time or on our soil. But without knowledge of what tomorrow will bring I feel we have already been blessed by those who sacrificed their innocence, their youth and even their lives for the freedom we enjoy today. So many have given so much for the liberty we enjoy today. May we continue to prayer for the protection of our country, our military and for the good of society.
FYI: Robert Tweed, age 96 attended the memorial services. Also in attendance was Cyril Frantz, age 97 who also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. These two men connected after the ceremonies. Their photos and many others can be viewed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Versailles-Vets-Club-927175317330490/. WARNING: It may cause a lump to form in your throat and your eyes to tear up.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
The Versailles Vets Club will have an evening of karaoke (downstairs) with Orville beginning at 7:30 pm both Friday and Saturday, June 2nd & 3rd.
Saturday, June 3rd at 8:00 am there will be mass at St. Denis with rosary at 7:35 am for those interested in completing the Five First Saturday requests of Fatima.
Rain or Shine, this Saturday, June 3rd there will be the annual Bike Rodeo from 9 a.m. to noon at the Versailles Emergence Building on Baker Road. Special guests Rage and Rocko the Dalmation Duo will be on hand. The IU Lifeline Aircraft is arriving at 11 a.m. (weather and availability permitting). The event features a bike safety course, bike helmets, safety bells, children identification packets, bike registrations, helmet/bike inspections and hot dogs and drinks.
Saturday evening, after the 5 p.m. mass at St. Denis there will be a farewell reception for Fr. Ron Haft in the church basement. All are invited to attend and wish him well in his new assignment as pastor of St. Antoninus in Cincinnati.
Tuesday, June 6, the Darke County Right to Life committee meets 7:30 p.m. at the Pregnancy Help Center located at 105 W. Third St, Greenville. If you are interested in joining or learning more please join in or contact them at 937-547-3113 or 419-336-5550.
Birthday wishes to Colleen McKnight, Sue Drees, Allen Platfoot, Marvin Keller, Cathy Peters, Erin Luft, Rhonda Poling, Emma Hawkey, Taunya Buxton, Tom Crandall, Lindsey Siders, Christina Fullenkamp, Jodi Bennett, Sharron Sally, Betty Shappie, Penny Cromwell, Sharie Lenox, Mark Brown, Nancy Luthman, Keith Bohman, Greg Taylor, Ramona Nickol, Rob Grillot, Marilyn Blakeley, Jeff Schemmel, Gina Nerderman, Linda Monnin, Susie (Coons) Barga, Cassie Ingle, Josh Armstrong, Adam Reed, Daryl Shrader, and Dick Detrick as their birthdays approach.
Anniversary wishes to Nicole and Rick Meyers (3), Dana & Jamie Magoto (16), Rhonda and Patrick Smith (25), Cathy & Keith Huber (25), Christy and Mike Prakel (27), Georgiana and Jeff Barga (35), Donna and Mike Berger (44), Cindy and Tom Schulze (?), Suzie & Charlie Keihl (49), Colleen and Ted Loxley (50), Mary Jo and Bob Nixon (53), and Janice and Gene Oliver (62). Ordination anniversary wishes to Fr. Eric Wood (2), Fr. Ron Haft (?), Father Jim Simons (17), and Pastor David Wilson (48). Retirement wishes to Cindy Goubeaux and Tammie Lewis.
Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Theresa Buteau, Chris Apple, Miriam Harman, Jack Monnin, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Anne Schmitz, Roger Bey, Donna & Terry Black, Ron Bruner, Connie Ecabert, Wanda & Joe Bailey, Dave Buxton, Betty Kremer, Dan Roseberry, Denny Grilliot, Beverly Brown, Linda Kendinger, Harold Langston, Sr., Julie Keihl, Joan Magoto, Jeanne Brandon, Ruth Haft, Rosie Pearson, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Mary Barga, Anabelle Subler, Julia Billenstein, Merilyn Borchers, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Jack Borgerding, Dan Monnin, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Cyril Frantz, Michelle Ullom, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Samantha Smith, Brian Voisard, and all those not mentioned by name who are ill, suffering, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers and their caregivers.
Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Clete Hilgefort (88), Julie Mangen (90) and also remembering the lives of David Pohl, Hershel Schultz, Florence Magoto, Helen McEldowney, Lori Kenworthy, Bill Bradley, Eldon Miller, Jim Condon, Judy Voisard, Harry Birt, Joann Grisez, Gail Schlater, Linus Kemper, Dorothy Winner, Bob Wogamon, Marie Monnin, Betty Minnich, Gertrude Swallow and all those in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing.
“History should be real stories from real people not someone’s creative writing assignment.” ~C. Edwards
“Museums preserve history making it an excellent source of knowledge and truth.” ~C. Edwards
“Blessed are those who defend the freedom of others.” ~C. Edwards
