More recent events also provide meaning of Memorial Day

Memorial Day dates back to at least the Civil War. After 1868, May 30 was designated as Decoration Day where parades and services and concerts have been held in commemoration of those who have fallen in combat.

It's traditions are linked to the Civil War and to World War I, with a more contemporary feel of World War II, Korea and Vietnam conflicts. Mike Haerr made it known that Memorial Day has as much meaning to those serving today as for those in previous wars.

Haerr was the guest speaker for the annual Memorial Day service at The Abbey at Southside Cemetery Monday morning.

A retired colonel, Haerr currently serves as Livingston County Veterans Assistance Commission superintendent. He received the Bronze Star and the Illinois Medal of Merit for his service in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He reminded those in attendance that Americans are remembering its fallen warriors from the more recent military actions, such as what has gone since the 9-11 attacks in 2001.

The first time Haerr experienced the meaning of Memorial Day was in 1975 after he and his family moved to rural Congerville. He said he say first-hand how a person deals with the loss of a loved one. A neighbor had lost her son in Vietnam.

And there there was the fist time Haerr dealt with combat casualties while serving. He said a group he was with was leaving a meeting in a school building near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border when they were ambushed. A major in the group died instantly and three others were wounded.

“I lost several fellow service members during that first tour, and it was very unique in that we were all Guardsmen, Air Force active duty, Navy active duty, formed into teams to mentor the Afghans,” Haerr told the audience. “Unfortunately, a good friend of mine died on Jan. 11, 2008, three weeks before he was supposed to come home.”

Haerr gave a little history of the person, who in civilian life was a nurse at a school in Pennsylvania, and that that person explained that he was in Afghanistan so his two sons — one an Air Force Academy graduate and the other a graduate of West Point — did not have to go there.

This soldier died from an IAD attack that also took two other lives.

“The three of them remain forever in my memory,” Haerr said. “The thing I will take from this experience is that the bonds that we formed were very tight.

“And while we may not be blood relation, the strength of our friendship has forged through training, deploying and conducting combat operations and the shared sacrifice from being separated from our loved ones and everything we had built back home.

“The good thing about it is I got to see the pride in the faces of our service members as they knew the value of the jobs they were performing and putting everything on the line to help each other and insure that we remain free to make our choices as we will.”

Once his tour of duty was over that first time, he came home and was assigned to be the deputy commander and rear detachment commander for the Illinois National Guard 33rd Brigade Infantry team. That unit was mobilized, Haerr said, to do same thing he had just returned from in Afghanistan.

“Our first casualties came in September 2008 when Josh Harris and Jason Vazquez of our 2122 field artillery from the south suburbs were killed,” Haerr said. “Their families became my family as we waited for two weeks for their remains to be honorably returned from Afghanistan.”

There were 18 casualties from that unit, Haerr said.

Noting that his job now involves working with widows, executors and family members of veterans who pass. It also includes honoring their loved ones with memorial items that the Department of Veterans Affairs provides every honorably discharged soldier.

“Probably none more important to us this year than John Ferguson,” Haerr said.

Ferguson is the soldier from Flanagan who died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in the early stages of America's involvement in World War II. He was only recently identified and was brought home and laid to rest last fall.

“One of the greatest things about serving and one of the greatest countries and services is the fact that we promise never to leave anyone behind,” Haerr said. “I cannot be more proud to be an American, a veteran, than when we received John Ferguson back because they were able to match the DNA from the internment location with that of his brother, Merle. The way this county came out and welcomed John home to his final rest was amazing.”

Haerr also provided a message before concluding his speech.

“While I'm thankful and honored to share some of my experiences from my 15 years of experience after 9-11, I am motivated and would be remiss if I did not share with you the importance of doing our part to be citizens worthy of the blood and tears shed for our country,” Haerr said.

“First and most importantly, vote in all elections. There are no unimportant ones because they were bought with blood and tears.

“Support our current service members and their families. When you see them, please don't just thank the soldier, the sailor, the Marine, the airman or the Coast Guardsman, thank their families. Thank that spouse and kids because they have so much on the line and wait patiently for a day that many worry may never come, which is the homecoming day with their unit.

“Finally, vote to hold our leaders accountable for the decisions they make. The decisions to deploy military force is not one that should be made quickly or without following a process. Make sure to provide our service members that unfair advantage in the battle field. And when, God forbid, the worst happens, our country bears the widows and orphans commensurate with the sacrifice of their loved one's life.

“It is the least we can do to honor those who have born the cross of battle that we live a life worthy of their sacrifice.”

Also taking part in the service was Shirley Wiegers, the honorary mother who laid the wreath at the fallen soldier. Carrying the flag was Norma Studebaker of the AMVETS Auxiliary.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 76 recited the Pledge of Allegiance while soloist Lindsey Studnicki sang the national anthem and Sleep Soldier Boy.

Steve Worthington, chaplain at the American Legion, recited the poem “Flanders Field” and American Legion/VFW Commander Chris Saylor provided the American Response. Terry Norgaard recited the POW Prayer.

Rev. JD Buchenau opened the ceremony in prayer and gave the benediction. Mick Peterson served as master of ceremonies and Scot Schickel directed the combined Pontiac Municipal and PTHS band.