My Week

Wednesday I went to the funeral of George H. "Nib" Roberts.  I didn't know him personally but respected the fact that he was a charter member of the Chatham American Legion.  As I got to know him through the Eulogy, I felt closer and also met a few common friends.
I stopped by the Salvation Army store since Wednesday is senior discount day.

Thursday morning I made a trip to the drive up window at IDOT to renew my license sticker on Wheezer.  After that I rode over to the airport for Austin's homecoming from the Middle East.   That was a happy event indeed.

On my way home, I stopped by Advanced Auto to get help with an amber lamp fixed on my bike.  The man who helped me change it was also a biker.  I figured that Capitol City Motorsports may be busy with the upcoming Springfield Mile track races.  I'm sure it was much cheaper this way too.

Then I went to a "members only" preview of a Boy In Blue Part 4 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

Friday I went to the Old State Capitol.  I snuck out to see the 114th color guard open a new exhibit a the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.   In the evening I got a call that Dan had finished fixing my wooden trunk latch so I picked it up and ended up staying for dinner.

Saturday I did my chores.  The biggest was way overdue and that was vacuuming my car.  I went to a poet presentation at the Vachel Lindsey Home Historic site.  Then stopped by the my son to pick up his amplifier and microphone of Memorial Day.

Sunday I read the second reading.  I rode my motorcycle witt he big flags up.  I left church before the closing song and went to Rock N Roll Hardy's but the bikers had already left for Camp Butler.   I sped down the interstate and found them at the flag pole.  They hadn't started yet.  In fact there was a 45 minute wait.  After the ceremony there was a 40 minute wait to leave for a wreath laying at the memorials in Oakridge.  There we waited a half hour too before it was underway.

Here I am at Lincoln's Thunder Road Motorcycle Ride with the Gold Star Families, Jerry Young, father of Chad, and Ava and Richard Tomson, parents of Lucas Strarcevich of Savoy, who laid the wreath in honor of their son (s) killed in action.

 Donna Catlin took these pictures.

I came home hungry and ate.  I checked a few emails and realized there was a potluck at the VFW.  I stopped for a little desert before going to the Memorial Balloon Launch. 

Our Mistress of Ceremony did not show up which I later learned she fell ill.  The microphone did not work, and the Amazing Grace didn't play. I was later told that they ran the battery down playing patriotic music.  I gave the speech without the microphone and here is my transcript.

Balloon Launch Speech.

We are gathered here today to memorialize a loved one.  The cause of death no longer matters.   It’s how they lived. Think for a moment, how did the name that this balloon make you miss them so much? 

As for those who served in the military, they lived as patriots to our country’s call.  We often talk of “OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS GOING OFF TO WAR”

Who are we?

Are we a parent in part of these sons and daughters?  I say yes.  If I am truly and American, they are MINE too in part.  My maternal instinct tells me so.  The word, love, can be a strong and misleading term.  Each of these balloons is an outward expression of real, genuine love.

My balloon today is for my husband whom I lost in a car accident 6 years ago.  Frank had served 3 tours in Vietnam and has an eternal resting place at Camp B. 

I too was injured but survived.  I miss him dearly and when I ask myself why not me? It’s because God needs me still.  God needs all of us survivors.  We are His children and we were given a special gift of life by those whose names these balloons are dedicated. 

We must resolve to keep active for those living.  I send packages to those serving in harms way through Soldiers Angels, I learned to ride in 2006 as part of the Patriot Guard Riders, and participate at ceremonies.  Yes, participate at ceremonies.  What good is a balloon launch, the Vietnam Vigil, Veterans Day Parade, without the bystanders?  It is empty.  

I chuckle when I think of the old movie, “Support Your Local Sherriff” but that is so true for events and ceremonies that invite the public to attend.

During military funerals, a flag is presented to the next of kin on behalf of a grateful nation.  One person says this and turns over our flag.   Please raise your hand if you are the grateful nation!

These are outward signs that tell everyone I am part of the “grateful nation” who places a flag on the top of that casket during military funerals.  You are giving that to the survivors “on behalf of a grateful nation.  Someone else just presents it on YOUR behalf.  It is 100 percent you and 100 percent of  me.

I prefer to think of memorials as a close one who is holding a place in a long line at the movies or show for us while we are taking care of business here on Earth.

My favorite quote, which has now become my prayer, is from Eleanor Roosevelt:

“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?”

Some of the participants of the 2d Annual Balloon Launch:

Monday I went to the Chatham Square for Memorial Day ceremony.   I got there early and put up flags along the easement of the Chatham square along Route 4.  I put a small rose from my flower bed on my husband's brick in the square.  I came home and fixed some asparagus from the garden. I returned for color guard duty and stood next to Les Morgan standing there with other flag bearers and heard him as he looked over the crowd (and right over my head) and said "I need two more flag bearers".   The speeches given by the Legion and VFW commanders, as well as the police officer, were very moving and not as typically canned speeches.

I had a few donuts at the post.  I rode home through my neighborhood the roundabout way and parked in front of my house since I'll be leaving again for a ceremony at Camp Butler later.

 

At Camp Butler, I placed one of my peonies on my husband's grave and parked the motorcycle there.  I walked to the pavilion.  A portion of the ceremony includes a flower placed on the vacant chair by the ladies which I accepted.  The speech given by Tammy Duckworth was great.  She wore her uniform as a Lt Col.   She spoke of an NCO named Bill Chaney that trained her (link is to the newspaper and that's my son's loaned amplifier and microphone).  He was a Vietnam vet and taught her how to cuss.  He smoked and enjoyed a brewsky.   He didn't have to go because he served his time and did not return alive.  That was so moving coming from a congress woman who lost both legs.  Afterward I waited in line to salute and greet her.  I reminded her we met before at a Veterans Day parade in Quincy.  She said that was a long time ago and wished it again.  I kept it brief since there was a line.

I stopped by and let my son's dog out.  Moe peed gallons.  Then he just looked at the gate hoping his master would show up.  Not that he didn't like me.  Moe gave me a kiss. He just wanted his master so I let him back in the house.  

I went to the retreat ceremony at the DAV.  For such a lovely day in which I had my first sunburn, it rained.  Not before or after the retreat.  Only during.  After the retreat, I came back to Chatham to retrieve  the 3 by 5 flags on the square where we had the 10AM ceremony.   

Exhausted!