Nice crowd enjoys ceremony, food, and fellowship
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Memorial Day 2023 was bright, clear, and beautiful with temperatures in the low 80’s as people gathered to honor fallen service men and women at the Chester Memorial Day Service.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was started as a “Day of Remembrance” for those who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces during the Civil War.
Local General, John A. Logan, of the Grand Army of the Republic called for a “Decoration Day” in 1868. It was at that time widely celebrated. By 1890 every Northern State had adopted Decoration Day as a holiday.
World War I and World War II turned Decoration Day into a generalized day of remembrance that included all wars, not just the Civil War. In 1971, the United States Congress standardized the Holiday as “Memorial Day” and changed the day of observance to the last Monday in May. Prior to that change, from 1868 until 1970, Decoration Day was observed on May 30th.
The annual event held in Chester is always co-sponsored by the Chester American Legion Post 487 and the Chester VFW Post 3553 and hosted on rotating years by either organization. This year was the VFW’s turn to host and they did a wonderful job of serving those in attendance.
The program started at precisely 11:00 a.m. with a welcome by Kaskaskia VFW Post 3553 Quartermaster Ed Pierce. Immediately following the welcome, Pierce introduced Steve Colonel and the Chester High School Band who performed the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.
Pierce then introduced Pastor Chester Bogus who provided the Invocation for the service. Bogus gave a most patriotic Invocation complete with Memorial Day slant.
Commander Randy Werner of American Legion Post 487 and Quartermaster Ed Pierce of VFW Post 3553 then placed the traditional Wreath at the table of the Fallen Brothers and sisters. These fallen brothers and sisters would never be returning to eat at that table again due to the fact that they had either lost their lives in action or been designated as missing in action (MIA) or were Prisoners of War (POW).
Commander Werner then provided his remarks as Commander of the American Legion. Werner welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the 2023 Memorial Day Service. He then praised the local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for the great job they did in posting all of the flags around town and at the Cemetery.
Mayor Tom Page was unable to attend the service, but in his place, Alderman J.D. Maes spoke on Page’s behalf. Maes complimented everyone in attendance for being there to honor the courageous men and women who lost their lives for their country.
He added that we Americans owe a debt to those who gave service to the USA and made countless sacrifices so that we could have freedom here in America and around the world.
Maes said, “These brave men and women helped to keep our ideals and core values alive. Our unity and individuality, along with our life, liberty, and diversity are possible because these service men and women sacrificed for us! They have kept the American Dream alive!”
The next item on the agenda was the performance of the Chester High School Band as they played the “Armed Forces Medley”. This is always a very meaningful and favorite portion of the program.
The band played the theme songs of the five branches of the United States Military, the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and Navy. When the themes were being played by the band, those men and women in the audience from the respective branches stood and saluted as they were being recognized and honored.
As usual, this was a very moving and appreciated act of honor for those service men and women.
Following the “Armed Forces Medley”, Ed Pierce introduced the guest speaker, Doug Jameson, VFW District 14 Senior Vice. Jameson started by giving a huge “Thank You” to Steve Colonel and the Chester High School Band for providing the excellent music for the event.
Jameson then had all veterans in attendance stand for recognition. He noted that it was the 150th Anniversary of Memorial Day and thanked the Gold Star Families for their sacrifices. “Our freedoms have stayed intact because of the brave men and women who fought to keep us free. We should ‘never forget’ their strength, service and duty to America.”
Next on the program Ed Pierce and Randy Werner took turns reading the names of the local veterans who had passed away since the last Memorial Day. This ceremony is titled, “Roll Call of Our Departed Comrades”.
Roll Call of Our Departed Comrades
Dale Rickenberg
Ron Laramore
Frank Derickson
Gary Childers
Prentice Wilson
Dennis Berry
Gus Stallman
Billy Sauerhage
At the conclusion of the reading of the Departed Comrades, the combined VFW and American Legion Firing Squad conducted the annual “Salute to Our Departed Veterans” with a 21-gun Salute followed by “TAPS” played by Chester High School Class of 2023 Graduate, Jacob Handel.
Pastor Chester Bogus gave a very nice Benediction to close the official portion of the program after which Steve Colonel and his Chester High School Band performed, “America the Beautiful” for the Postlude.
The VFW chefs provided a delicious “FREE” luncheon following the conclusion of the Ceremony. The menu included Jumbo Hot Dogs, Sloppy Joes, potato chips, relish tray, Memorial Day cake, and a variety of cold beverages.
The entire event was deemed to be a huge success and once again, the Chester VFW Post 3553 and American Legion Post 487 did a fantastic job of honoring our local “Fallen” Men and Women!
Dignitaries sit on the stage of the Chester VFW at the 2023 Memorial Day Service. Pictured are (left to right) Chester Alderman J.D. Maes, American Legion Post 487 Commander Randy Werner, Masster of Ceremonies and Quartermaster at the Chester VFW Post 3553 Ed Pierce, Guest Speaker VFW District 14 Senior Vice Doug Jameson, and Pastor Chester Bogus. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, provided excellent patriotic music for the 2023 Memorial Day Service. The Band played the National Anthem, Armed Forces Salute, and America the Beautiful during the service. First Trumpet player, Jacob Handel played TAPS for the Salute to Our Departed Veterans portion of the program. Jim Beers Photo)
Pastor Chester Bogus provided both the Invocation and Benediction for the Memorial Day Service. Jim Beers Photo))
American Legion Post 487 Commander, Randy Werner (left) and Chester VFW Post 3553 Quartermaster, Ed Pierce (right), conduct the Annual Wreath Placement at the POW/MIA Table to remember those missing or unable to attend the ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
Randy Werner, Commander of American Legion Post 487, provides his remarks at the 2023 Chester Memorial Day Service held at the Chester VFW Post 3553 Monday May 29th. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Alderman J.D. Maes spoke on behalf of Mayor Tom Page who was unable to attend the Chester Memorial Day Service. Maes did a great job and represented Mayor Page well. Jim Beers Photo
Lee Hollaway stands and salutes during the “Armed Forces Medley” Monday May 29 at the 2023 Memorial Day Service. The Chester High School Band played the song during the service to honor members of the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force, and Navy. As the theme song for each branch of service was played, those current or former members of the respective branch of service stood and were recognized. Hollaway was a member of the United States Marines. Jim Beers Photo
Doug Jameson, VFW District 14 Senior Vice, was the Guest Speaker at the 2023 Chester Memorial Day Service. Jim Beers Photo
The Annual Roll Call of Departed Comrades was called by Commander Randy Werner (left) of American Legion Post 487 and Ed Pierce (right), Quartermaster of Chester VFW Post 3553. Since the last meeting, there were a total of eight local servicemen reported who had departed. Jim Beers Photo
The combined Firing Squad of the Chester VFW Post 3553 and American Legion Post 487 conducted a 21-gun Salute in the “Salute to Our Departed Veterans” portion of the Memorial Day Service. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School Band trumpet player, Jacob Handel, played “TAPS” to conclude the “Salute to Our Departed Veterans” ceremony at the 2023 Memorial Day Service. Handel did a fantastic job and really put the finishing touch to the honor ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
These three unknown Scouts happened to be coming to the Memorial Day Ceremony at the time when TAPS were being played immediately following the Firing Squad 21-Gun Salute. This was during the “Salute to Our Departed Veterans” portion of the program. All three Scouts stopped in their tracks, stood at attention and saluted once they realized what was taking place. Jim Beers Photo
A large crowd enjoyed the 2023 Chester Memorial Day Service at the Chester VFW Monday May 29. Jim Beers Photo
A large crowd enjoyed the 2023 Chester Memorial Day Service at the Chester VFW Monday May 29. Jim Beers Photo
Manor at Craig Farms Activity Director Amy Craig, (back left) brought three residents to the 2023 Chester Memorial Day Service Monday May 29th. Pictured (front row, left to right) are Floyd Morgan, Missouri National Guard Veteran, and James Jeremiah, Army and Marine Veteran. With Amy Craig in back is Mary Hartenberger, VFW Auxiliary member. The group thoroughly enjoyed the service and the luncheon after the conclusion of the service. Jim Beers Photo