Over 50 Kewanee residents attended Saturday’s KVC Veterans Day Service at the American Legion on Railroad Avenue. Jerry Thompson, finance officer for both the Kewanee Veterans Council and the American Legion, acted at master of ceremonies.
KVC Chaplain Lou VanDeVoorde gave the innovation and as in previous years, Ted Canellos, commander of the American Legion Post #31, presented the POW/MIA service.
The POW/MIA service is a local tradition where attendees are asked to reflect on the service members still unaccounted for and who have not returned home from war. A small table is set with items meant to symbolize their absence such as a red ribbon, an inverted glass, a white tablecloth and an empty chair.
Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore addressed the group and said he was humbled to speak to those who gathered that day. Moore was the only member of the Kewanee government who was able to attend the annual service.
“They asked me to pass along their regrets,” he said of the Kewanee City Council members.
Moore said Veterans Day honors everyone since the Revolutionary War who fought and served their country, noting the veterans who served among his own family including his father, his son, his son-in-law and his wife’s grandfather, Lester Eastman, who drove a truck in the supply line and earned a Bronze Star.
Eastman was humble and unassuming, Moore said, and you would have never guessed by his words and actions that he was a war hero.
Recorded musical selections were played throughout the service. The Wethersfield High School band and chorus were scheduled to play, but were forced to bow out after the death of the director’s father.
Thompson introduced the commanders of the local veterans organization; Canellos, commander of the American Legion; VFW Post #8078 Commander Rob Cade, KVC President Glenn Morey; KVC Service Officer Jim Thurman and VFW Auxiliary President Linda Jacobs.
In attendance were the American Legion Poppy Girl and Boy, Remi Labedis and Beau Labedis and VFW Poppy Girl and Boy Elaina Costenson and Kelly Autery.
Speakers for the event were WHS and Kewanee High School students, Sophie Nimrick, Eleanor Burkhart, Avery Yepsen and Jillian Bennison.
Burkhart told the assembled group that her generation could never express their gratitude for veterans and asked that today, they pause to reflect and look back.
“Freedom is not free and it comes with a cost and that cost has been paid by our veterans,” she said, acknowledging the families of veterans as well.
Avery Yepsen used her time to find the oldest veteran at the service, requesting all veterans over the age of 70 to stand up. She then increased the age until only one veteran remained. At 98-years-old, Harold McMahon, WWII Purple Heart recipient, was the last veteran standing and was presented with a gift by Yepsen.
The service ended outside with the a 21-gun salute by the KVC firing squad and the playing of Taps by John Blake.
