By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — Chester’s 2022 Memorial Day Service was held Monday May 30 at the American Legion Post 487 Hall in Chester. VFW Post 3553 in Chester shared the program components with the Legion to provide a top-notch event for Memorial Day 2022.
Local dignitaries take position at the Head Table on the platform of the American Legion Hall in Chester where the 2022 Memorial Day Service was hosted. Left to right are Shane Wagner, Guest Speaker, J.D. Maes, Chester City Council Member, Randy Werner, Commander of the American Legion Post 487, Dale Volle, Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 3553 in Chester, and Chaplain Rev. “Bud” Lawless of the Randolph County Marine Corps League, Detachmeent 575. Jim Beers Photo
The event held at the American Legion with Auxiliary Members providing a delicious luncheon along with a Memorial Tree which served as a means of honoring and remembering departed veterans.
Guests were encouraged to sign the name, rank, and location of departed veterans on a 3 X 5 black index card and attach it to the tree which was located in the middle of the American Legion Club Room. Poppies were available with which to attach the information cards to the tree. This particular project was designed and implemented by Farida and Lee Hollaway.
Members of the American Legion Post 487 and VFW Post 3553 in Chester pose for a photo prior to the start of the 2022 Chester Memorial Day Service held at the American Legion Monday May 30th. Jim Beers Photo
Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day” and was intended to be a day of remembrance for those who died while serving in the United States Armed Services. In 1868 General John A. Logan called for cities to host a “Decoration Day” and the idea quickly spread. By 1890, every Northern state had adopted “Decoration Day” as a holiday!
World War I and World War II created an atmosphere in which “Decoration Day” expanded into a generalized day of remembrance. Prior to those wars, the occasion was primarily focused on Civil War departed.
From May 30th 1868 until May of 1970 the holiday was observed on May 30 of each year. In 1971 the United States Congress standardized the holiday as “Memorial Day” and created its observance to be observed on the “last” Monday in May of each year.
The 2022 Memorial Day Service began at 11:00 a.m. As guests arrived and entered the Legion Hall they were greeted by members of the American Legion Auxiliary members who offered them a program, a poppy and a very nice professionally produced book mark.
The service began with a warm welcome from Randy Werner, American Legion Post 487 Commander. The Chester High School Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, performed the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” as everyone stood at attention to honor the great country of America.
Chaplain Rev. “Bud” Lawless of the Randolph County Marine Corps League, Detachment 575, gave a heartfelt Invocation and introduction to the events of the day.
Immediately following the Invocation, Commander Randy Werner and Senior Vice Commander, Dale Volle of Chester VFW Post 3553 placed the traditional Memorial Day Wreath at the table of the fallen soldier positioned at the front of the Hall directly in front of the stage where dignitaries sat.
To maintain the mood of “Remembrance and Honor” and “Dedication to the Fallen”, the Chester High School Band performed, “Ashoken Farewell” much to the liking of everyone in attendance.
Keeping in line with tradition, both the American Legion Post 487 Commander and the VFW Post 3553 Commander each provided remarks regarding the day dedicated to the fallen veterans.
Legion Commander Randy Werner spoke during the general “Welcome” at the beginning of the event.
Dale Volle, Senior Vice Commander of the VFW Post 3553 in Chester, provided remarks Monday May 30 at the 2022 Chester Memorial Day Service in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Representing Chester VFW Post 3553 was Dale Volle who is currently the Senior Vice Commander. Volle briefly said, “Thank You to everyone in attendance for being here to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
Another Memorial Day tradition was kept in 2022 as a member of the City of Chester Administration was on hand to provide remarks. Mayor Tom Page was unavailable; in his place representing the City of Chester was Councilman J.D. Maes.
Chester City Council member J.D. Maes represented the City of Chester at the 2022 Memorial Day Service in Chester Monday May 30th. Maes stood in for Mayor Tom Page who was unable to attend. Maes provided several comments relating to Memorial Day and did a good job of bringing the meaning of Memorial Day to a large crowd gathered at the American Legion in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Maes said, “Thank you to everyone in attendance including the veterans, the Chester High School Band, the members of the VFW, and the American Legion. We should remember that today is actually a day of memorial, not a day of celebration.”
Maes referred to a quote from James Allen who said, “No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.” Maes stressed that returning thanks to those who have fallen in defense of America is of utmost importance!
Maes gave a very inspirational talk during his brief time in front of the microphone and did a great job of representing Mayor Tom Page and the City of Chester.
Another tradition on the program was the playing of the “Armed Forces Medley” by the CHS band. This song consists of a series of theme songs from all of the branches of the United States Armed Forces.
As each of the theme songs was played, a member of that branch of service came forward carrying the flag of the respective branch and other members of that branch stood and saluted the flag as the song continued. Once the theme song was completed, another branch of service was represented until all theme songs were completed.
The order of songs and branches of Armed Forces included Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and Navy. The audience was very appreciative and supportive of the service men and women in attendance who stood to be recognized as their respective theme songs were being played.
Local Author and Historian, Shane Wagner, was the Guest Speaker at the 2022 Memorial Day Service hosted by the American Legion Monday May 30th. A large crowd was on hand to hear Wagner speak and to “Remember and Honor” “Fallen” and “Departed” Veterans. Wagner gave an excellent historical overview of Memorial Day and provided attendees great “food-for-thought” relating to the true meaning of Memorial Day. Jim Beers Photo
Following the “Armed Forces Medley” portion of the ceremony, Commander Werner introduced Shane Wagner, Guest Speaker for the day.
Wagner was introduced as an author and local historian, but as he took the stage, Wagner said, “I appreciate the nice introduction about being an author and historian, but I also have day job!”
Wagner based his talk on Abraham Lincoln and what he considered to be his most important words, which were written and never spoken. While most Americans think of the Gettysburg Address as Lincoln’s most important speech, Wagner referenced his State of the Union document of December 1, 1862.
At that time, the State of the Union address was presented in writing and read aloud by the Secretary of the Senate. The document was 8,400 words long and contained mostly routine issues of the country. What Wagner found most interesting was what Lincoln wrote at the end of his address, which addressed the possible repercussions of the Civil War, which the country was currently embattled in.
Lincoln wrote of our country: “We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last, best hope of earth.” In reflecting on the issues facing our country today, Wagner noted that we face real challenges and that fixing the country begins at the local level. He asked if we are building a country deserving of the sacrifice of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Commander Randy Werner of the American Legion Post 487 and Dale Volle, Senior Vice Commander of the VFW Post 3553 in Chester read the names of local departed veterans since June of 2019. There was a total of 28 such “Departed Veterans” on the list being recognized at the 2022 Memorial Day Service held at the American Legion in Chester Monday May 30th, 2022. Jim Beers Photo
Upon the conclusion of Wagner’s presentation, Commander Werner and Senior Vice Commander Volle read the “Roll Call of Departed Veterans” from June 2019 until May of 2022.
That list of departed Veterans from Chester included the following 28 veterans:
Frank Benedict, Elijah Brown, Donald Derickson, Waldo Delassus, Ray Dettmer, Louis Gerlach, Dale Holloman, Harold Howie, Harry Jones, Delbert Koch, Glenn Korando, Olin Misselhorn, Armin Montroy, Francis Montroy, Harry Montroy, Robert Mueller, Delbert Neimeyer, Glenn Ohlau, David Otten, Roger Petrowske, Joe Racine, Delbert Rubach, Donald Sickmeyer, Ed Smith, Charles Tieman, Charles Tripp, Jerald Walter, and Frank Derickson.
A combined American Legion and VFW Firing Squad conducts a 21-Gun Salute in observance of departed veterans at the 2022 Memorial Day Service held at the American Legion in Chester. Jim Beers Photo
Immediately following the recognition of Departed Veterans a combined American Legion and VFW Firing Squad presented a 21-Gun Salute in the traditional “Salute to Departed Veterans” ceremony, after which CHS graduate Luke Miller played “Taps”.
The CHS Band then performed, “America the Beautiful”, after which the Benediction was pronounced by Chaplain Rev. “Bud” Lawless.
A delicious luncheon was served at the conclusion of the program provided by the American Legion Auxiliary. The menu included homemade pulled chicken BBQ, Jumbo hot dogs, potato chips, slaw, pickles and relish, with beverages.
