VETERANS REMEMBRANCE
SPECIAL PROGRAM
District holds Veteran’s Day live stream program
Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, November 13, 2020
OGLE COUNTY NEWS
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BY JEFF HELFRICH jhelfrich@shawmedia.com
Polo Women’s Club and American Legion Polo Post 83 members were present when a wreath was placed on “Cross of the Unknown” at Fairmount Cemetery. Pictured, left to right, are: James Reynolds; Dan Ford, American Legion Past Post Commander; Pat Kuhn, Polo Women’s Club Vice President; Cynthia Reynolds; and Melanie Konecny, American Legion Senior Vice Commander.
Wreath placed for those who served The GFWC Illinois Polo Women’s Club placed a remembrance wreath on the “Cross of the Unknown” on Sunday, Nov. 8. at Fairmount Cemetery north of Polo to honor those
who gave their lives for our freedom. Women’s Club and American Legion Polo Post 83 members were present.
PUBLIC VOICE White Oak Cemetery White Oak has about 55 veterans of the Civil War. The stone in the picture sits at the front of Chattanooga, Tennessee by Lookout Mountain, where the battle changed the outcome of the Civil War. You will notice the stone credits the 104th Infantry of Illinois. The death toll was so severe that General Ulysses S. Grant immediately instituted the day of national thanksgiving and prayer with his announcement that the Confederate Army had been beaten. Lookout Mountain is very high and straight up, where the position of the confederate army. The federal climbed almost straight up the mountain for battle. The cost of death was so severe that General Bragg was relieved of his duty. Look at the cost of our democracy and to protect our way of living. What about Iwo Jima. The first flag raising atop Mount Suribachi was Feb. 23, 1945. The U.S. Forces were supposed
to take the island and overrun it in three days. But it took 31 days of pure death and destruction. Just think of what some veterans went through to protect our country. I don’t even want to talk about Korea. Can you believe 25 below zero and a horrible wind blowing at you called a blow torch of death? Did you ever think that there is a reason why some veterans won’t even talk about their horrible duty? Remember the veterans and don’t forget our wonderful United States and make sure you fly the American Flag! The improvement committee at White Oak is Russ Ruter, Lloyd Wubbena and Rick Stuckenburg. We will have the 11 flags flying, which represents the 11 wars the United States declared on,other wars are declared police action. Be proud to be an American because freedom did not come cheap! Russ Ruter
Forreston
Area veterans were not able to attend schools this year for Veteran’s Day as usual, but Oregon School District music teacher Miles Beske worked hard to make it feel like any other year for them. Oregon Elementary School and David L. Rahn Middle School broadcasted a live stream performance on YouTube on Nov. 11. “Just to watch a veteran tear up at the music and poems, it just won’t be the same,” Beske said. “I wanted to still offer them something . We’ve done this for 30 years. Usually there’s someone local that gives a speech and each one talks about their experience. It’s phenomenal for kids.” From 9:45 a.m. until 10:10 a.m. on Wednesday, the bands were scheduled to perform the star spangled banner, a Pearl Harbor hymn and the different armed services marches. Taps was also played at the end of the show. Students spoke about each song performed. Beske was unsure how many students he would have for the performance due to COVID-19. This week, he was missing nine kids from his brass section. He usually has 60-65 students. Students will have an entire day with Veteran’s Day themes that will end with the live stream performance.
Earleen Hinton/Shaw Media
Miles Beske directed the fifth grade band in front of a packed house at the Blackhawk Center during the 2018 Band Extravaganza. Beske organized a virtual Veteran’s Day performance for Nov. 11.
The Veteran’s Day performance can be found at https://fb.me/e/3fHiusZ4g Beske said his music students have missed out on quite a few performances so far this fall due to COVID-19 cancellations. “Missing AOP was huge,” Beske said. “We did our own version of that at the stadium. There weren’t high school halftimes this fall. The Christmas concert can’t happen because it’s indoors. It may be virtual or live streamed.”
DONATIONS SOUGHT
Oregon VFW seeks donations for Christmas baskets drive
Oregon VFW post 8739 will be assembling and delivering food baskets for Christmas to families and individuals who are in need in the Oregon area. “This has been a tough year for everyone with the COVID-19 which has led to lost jobs and sick families,” said VFW Commander Bob Coulter. “We are asking those who donate to this purpose to please be generous this year.” Coulter said the Post normally provides at least 120 baskets. “We feel the number will be much larger this year,” he said. “We want to send a heartfelt thanks
to those who donate. It truly makes people happy.” Families or individuals in need must call the VFW Post (815-7326851) between 3 and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Each individual or family representative must call for themselves. An adult must be home on Dec. 19 to receive the basket. Deliveries will start around 8:30 a.m. and should conclude by noon. The VFW will start taking phone calls on Nov. 16, The VFW Post is also seeking volunteers to help deliver the baskets. Call 815-7326851 to volunteer.
