RIA Soldiers participate in 23 Veterans Day events

By ASC Public AffairsNovember 12, 2015

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1 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command and other community leaders, join Pastor Scott Culley in a closing prayer during the Rock Island National Cemetery's Veterans Day event, RIA, Illinois, Nov. 11. (Photo by Ke... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. James William Baker, deputy chief of staff, Intelligence Directorate, ASC, greets a veteran following his keynote speech at the Orion Central Park Veterans Day ceremony in Orion Central Park, Illinois, Nov. 8. (Photo by Bonnie Seals, ASC Public ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Sam Young, senior enlisted leader, First Army, addresses members of the Moline Rotary Club during the Rotarians' Veterans Day program Nov. 9, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, Illinois. (Photo by Master Sgt. Gail Braymen, First ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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13 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Steven Farmen (far right), commanding general, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command and Joint Munitions Command, and Silvis Mayor Tom Conrad (far left), gather with family members of the eight men who are honored at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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17 / 21 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Ninety-four-year-old World War II veteran Harland McLaughlin, front left, listens to Sgt. Maj. Brian Marone, the keynote speaker, during the East Moline American Legion Post 227 Veterans Day ceremony in East Moline, Illinois, Nov. 11. (Photo by Dan ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Soldiers from five different commands at Rock Island Arsenal participated in 23 Veterans Day events across western Illinois and eastern Iowa from Nov. 7 to 11.

Most of the events were local to the Quad Cities area, but some Soldiers traveled nearly 50 miles to show their support for those who served.

Soldiers represented the Army and their commands by giving speeches, educating youth, and participating in community ceremonies that honored veterans for their service.

The following is coverage in chronological order:

-- SILVIS, ILLINOIS

HERO STREET VETERANS DAY MEMORIAL COMMEMORATION

Col. Fredrick Hannah, director, Integrated Logistics Directorate, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, spoke at the 2015 Hero Street Monument Veterans Day Ceremony in Silvis, Illinois, Nov. 11.

"The eight young men whose names are inscribed on this monument truly are heroes -- there is no doubt about that," said Hannah. "Heroism can still be found in the hearts and spirits of the men and women who are carrying on the tradition exemplified by this magnificent monument, as well as the veterans who served before them.

"As we look upon the Hero Street Monument on this Veterans Day, let us remember this part of our past that should make our entire community, and our entire nation, proud," said Hannah.

More than 100 residents of Hero Street have served in the United States armed forces. Eight lost their lives in service to the nation: Tony Pompa, Claro Soliz, Frank Sandoval, Joe Gomez, John Munos, Joe Sandoval, Peter Masias, and William Sandoval.

About 75 people attended the annual ceremony. The Mexican American Veterans Association provided an Honor Guard salute and played taps during the event. The Patriot Guard Riders provided the flag line in front of the monument.

-- ORION CENTRAL PARK, ILLINOIS

ORION VETERANS DAY EVENT

Col. James William Baker, deputy chief of staff, Intelligence Directorate, ASC, spoke at the 2015 Orion Central Park Veterans Day Ceremony, Nov. 8.

"This county… is no stranger to its citizens serving our nation," said Baker. "Henry County sent more than 3,000 men to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War."

About 75 people attended the annual ceremony. The Veterans of Foreign Wars post 143 and the Orion American Legion Post 255 presented the colors. The Orion Community Band, directed by Emily Roberts, played a series of official military songs, and veterans stood as their respective branches were recognized. Deanne Bloomberg sang the National Anthem. Baker later joined Bloomberg in singing God Bless America.

-- MOLINE, ILLINOIS

MOLINE PUBLIC LIBRARY VETERANS DAY EVENT

Col. Elmer Speights Jr., commander, U.S. Army Garrison - RIA, spoke at the Moline Public Library Veterans Day event in Moline, Illinois, Nov. 10.

Vietnam Veterans of America Quad Cities Chapter 299 raised the American flag.

Speights spoke about the origin and significance of Veterans Day.

-- GALVA, ILLINOIS

GALVA SCHOOL VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY

Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Bryant, ASC, provided the keynote remarks at the Galva High School Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 10.

"May we be forever bonded by our service," said Bryant. "Today we celebrate that bond and our service, and I also want to say thank you to those who aren't veterans for showing your support and attending this event today.

"Let us remember those who are deployed right now and those who didn't make it home," he said.

The Pekin High School color guard posted the American flag, and the Galva fifth- and sixth-grade choir sang the national anthem.

The fourth-grade class sang "This Land is Your Land," and the Junior/Senior High School choir sang "My Country Tis of Thee."

The Pekin High School Honor Guard demonstrated the symbolic "Missing Man" ceremony honoring those veterans who could not join in celebrating Veterans Day because they are missing in action or were killed in action. They also honored prisoners of war.

About 500 students, faculty and community members attended the ceremony inside the high school gym.

-- DAVENPORT, IOWA

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

About 450 students and 250 guests gathered for a Veterans Day assembly at the All Saints Catholic School, Davenport, Iowa, Nov. 10.

Command Sgt. Major Walton Jones, Joint Munitions Command, was the keynote speaker during the program.

"Veterans Day is a time to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military -- in wartime or peace," said Jones.

Soldiers from ASC, First U.S. Army and USAG at Rock Island Arsenal visited students during their classes.

Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba also provided remarks, and the school's band and choir performed patriotic music while other students read poems.

-- MOLINE, ILLINOIS

FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School celebrated Veterans Day with Soldiers from RIA, Nov. 10.

The kindergarten class put the program together which included a lesson on how to appropriately fold and store the American flag.

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the national anthem.

Six Soldiers from RIA participated, with four of them whose children attend the school.

One by one, the Soldiers introduced themselves and spoke about their military service. A question and answer session followed.

At the end of the program, Sgt. 1st Class James Borchardt, ASC, presented the students who demonstrated the folding of the flag with an Army coin.

--GOOSE LAKE, IOWA

NORTHEAST COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

Goose Lake, located about 50 miles northeast of the Quad Cities, held its ceremony Nov. 11 at Northeast Community School starting at 10 a.m. in its auditorium. ASC Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Bryant served as the keynote speaker.

After the Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy Scout Troop 83 from Preston, Iowa, a brief history of how Veterans Day came to be was given by William Hasken, a senior at the high school.

Bryant spoke of many things, including of those veterans still affected by war.

"Veterans also understand combat's lasting impact in a way others do not. We know that this Veterans Day we have Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines still recovering in hospitals from their wounds. We know that this weekend parents, spouses, and children will grieve their Soldiers who did not return," he said.

He also spoke of common bonds among all veterans.

"May we remain forever bonded by our service and forever indebted to one another's service. In our actions, in our words, in our hearts, we must always be there for one another," Bryant said. "Today we celebrate that bond and that service, which has preserved this country's freedom and our way of life."

Flags were provided by Sabula-Miles' American Legion 74 and VFW Post 5234. The veterans from those organizations were given VIP status by providing them with seating in the first two rows.

The Northeast Men's Choir, directed by Laura Horst, sang "Homeward Bound."

Following this was a moment of silence and then buglers junior Abby Roling and sophomore Kristen Petry played taps.

-- ALEDO, ILLINOIS

MERCER COUNTY VFW POST 1571 VETERANS DAY EVENT

Capt. John Pons, ASC, spoke at the Mercer County Veterans Day ceremony in Aledo, Illinois, Nov. 11.

Members from the community, including the Aledo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1571, Aledo American Legion Post 121, the Aledo Junior High School marching band, and others, marched through town before beginning the official ceremony.

"In many ways, Veterans Day has become less quiet and more grand; part reflection and part celebration," said Pons. "That is appropriate."

Two wreaths were placed at the base of the memorial to honor the men and women who never returned home from war.

-- DAVENPORT, IOWA

CITY OF DAVENPORT VETERANS DAY PARADE

Col. Donald Wols, commander, Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, served as the keynote speaker and as grand marshal of the parade held in downtown Davenport.

Accompanying Wols in the parade was Bill Gluba, mayor of Davenport.

The parade began at 10 a.m. and the ceremony started at 11 a.m.

"And it is not just our servicemen and women that fight our nation's wars, our families and the communities that support those families also carry a heavy rucksack. The Army recognizes that although Soldiers are the strength of the nation, the strength of our Soldiers lies in their families," Wols said.

"And the emotional rucksack carried by a Soldier's family members -- the rucksack that contains the challenges and stresses that come with being part of a military family -- can never come off. It is borne 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he said.

-- SILVIS, ILLINOIS

SILVIS ANNUAL VETERANS DAY SERVICE

Brig. Gen. Steven Farmen, commanding general, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command and Joint Munitions Command, served as the keynote speaker during a Veterans Day Ceremony at Hero Street, Silvis, Illinois, Nov. 11. About 250 veterans, guests and Hero Street residence attended.

Farmen is also the ASC deputy commanding general.

Hero Street Memorial Park honored the eight men who lived on Hero Street who made the ultimate sacrifice during their military service.

"More than 110 men and women who have called Hero Street home have served their nation in uniform. Many of them continue to serve today, and others who are still too young to serve, plan to enlist in the future. This is an outstanding tribute to this community's commitment, to the deep and personal connection you have to all of those honored on this holiday. You have truly honored, respected, and remembered not only your heroes, but the causes they have fought for," said Farmen.

-- GALVA, ILLINOIS

GALVA VETERANS PARK VETERANS DAY CEREMONY

Col. Elmer Speights Jr., commander, USAG, spoke at the Galva Veterans Park Veterans Day ceremony in Galva, Illinois, Nov. 11. The event was hosted by the Galva American

Legion.

Speights spoke about the origin and significance of Veterans Day.

Following the ceremony, the Galva American Legion offered a chili lunch.

-- MILAN, ILLINOIS

MILAN AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS DAY COMMEMORATION

Col. Charles "Doyle" Lassiter, commander, Distribution Management Center, ASC, served as the keynote speaker at the American Legion Post 569 Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 11. About 75 people attended the event.

Before the event began, Lassiter spoke with Alvis Taylor, a survivor of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. Taylor served in the Army 20 years, retiring with the rank of major. He then served as the deputy director of Transportation and Traffic Management Directorate in Joliet, Illinois, before transferring to RIA for another 20 years.

Lassiter also spoke to Calvin Jensen, an Air Force World War II veteran, and Fred Snyder, who is a Korean War veteran.

"Korean War vets were mostly ignored, and the conflict itself became the 'Forgotten War.' My father was a veteran of this forgotten war," said Lassiter. "The Vietnam vets represent the largest portion of Post 569 membership, and this group remains very active in our community."

Brent Wiese, American Legion Post 569 commander, was emcee for the ceremony.

Opening prayer was given by Ken Miranda. A member from the Ladies Auxiliary placed a wreath on a new monument. The Legions Honor Guard conducted a 21-gun salute followed by taps.

A flag disposal ceremony was also conducted at the end. The Legion's Ladies Auxiliary provided lunch following the ceremony.

-- EAST MOLINE, ILLINOIS

EAST MOLINE VETERANS DAY CEREMONY

Sgt. Maj. Brian Marone, Command Distribution Management Center, ASC, was the keynote speaker at the American Legion Post 227 Veterans Day ceremony, Nov 11. About 100 people filled the hall for the event.

"Whenever America or her interests have been threatened, men and women from across this great nation have risen to her defense," said Marone. "Whenever our freedoms have come under assault, we've responded with strength, and purpose and resolve. Each of our veterans, along with their families, sacrificed to serve that sacred pact between warrior and society that all of us hold so dear," he said.

Robert Baecke, American Legion Post 227, was emcee for the ceremony. Alex Verschoore, United Township High School, performed the national anthem, taps and "God Bless America." Mayor John Thodos provided a welcome address. Deacon Jim Briggs, St. Anne Parish, provided the invocation and benediction. The Legion's Color Guard provided an honor salute.

-- MOLINE, ILLINOIS

Veterans Day Celebration for Moline American Legion Post 246, Post 2153 of the Veterans of Foreign War

Col. Lance Koenig, chief of staff, ASC, served as guest speaker at a Veterans Day event held at Post 2153 of the Veterans of Foreign War in Moline, Illinois, Nov. 11.

Koenig told the gathering of about 50 people that he was a third-generation Army officer. He said that veterans of all generations shared a special bond, and that Veterans Day was a holiday set aside to celebrate the freedom earned and defended by America's veterans.

The event was co-sponsored by Moline Post 246 of the American Legion. The event concluded with an honor salute, the playing of taps, and a luncheon.

-- DAVENPORT, IOWA

TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

About 400 people attended Trinity Lutheran School's Veterans Day event in Davenport, Iowa, Nov 11. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Demetrius Mingo, ASC, was the speaker for the event.

"Over the past 14 years, not all of our Soldiers have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. They all, however, have supported the fight, they all have preserved our freedoms, and they all have done so much for our national cause."

-- ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS

ROCK ISLAND NATIONAL CEMETERY VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, ASC, spoke to about 200 people at the Rock Island National Cemetery's annual Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 11.

O'Connell thanked veterans for leading the way.

"Veterans, thank you for your service. We are proud of you," he said. "You are the shoulders we stand on. We emulate you every day to improve the Army and make our Army stronger."

David Woods, Scott County Veterans Service officer and Vietnam veteran, gave the keynote address. He talked about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude towards those who served, and still serve, in the military. He emphasized that Soldiers should always be welcomed home and honored, unlike the way they were treated following the Vietnam War.

O'Connell assisted Woods in laying a wreath at the flag pole of those veterans who have passed.

The Vietnam Veterans of America provided a 21-gun salute.

Other area events included the Palmer Chiropractic Veterans Day event in Davenport; Jane's Place Veterans Day event, Davenport; Bettendorf (Iowa) Rotary Club Veterans Day event at Tanglewood Hills Pavilion; Bettendorf Veterans Day program at memorial; Trinity Lutheran Church Veterans Day program, Moline; Salem Lutheran Church Veterans Day event in Moline, and the Blackburn College Veterans Day event, Carlinville, Illinois.