“Their last full measure of devotion”…words we hear often on Memorial Day honoring those men and women who gave their lives for their country and for freedom.
Twenty-nine-year Air Force veteran Lou Guthrie, in delivering the address Monday at Kewanee’s Memorial Day Service at American Legion Post 31, said it takes a special person to stand up against all odds. “Many will say, ‘Why do they do it?’ What gives a person the intestinal fortitude to bear arms for their country? There is something within us that compels us to stay in the fight, even when the odds are against us.”
Guthrie said he recently had the privilege of going on an Honor Flight from the Quad Cities to Washington, D.C., where he and other veterans spent the day seeing the monuments dedicated to the fallen soldiers of several wars who have borne the brunt of battle.
“I discovered that the full measure of devotion does not end when one leaves the field of battle but it continues after that soldier, sailor, Marine or Airman returns home,” Guthrie said. “The selfless dedication of those in VA hospitals around the country for those who still carry the scars of battle as wounded warriors…and veterans organizations like the American Legion and VFW who continue to carry the torch of freedom for those who are no longer able, who stand in freezing cold cemeteries, give 21-gun salutes and carefully fold the flags for next of kin,” honoring a fellow veteran who has finally given his or her last full measure of devotion.
Guthrie received a standing ovation from the crowd that filled the Legion’s main hall. Jerry Thompson of the Kewanee Veterans Council read the names of the 36 local veterans the KVC firing squad has honored with final military rites since last June. Thompson also honored Kenny Bates, a 70-year member of American Legion Post 31.
Remarks were given by Mayor Gary Moore and musical selections were played by the Kewanee High School band directed by Alex Binek and Brittany Krohn. Seven members of the Kewanee High School Choir sang the National Anthem a cappella at the beginning of the service.
