Wyatt Eisenhauer Remembered; Memorial Ride Is Saturday
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[In 2004 Wyatt Eisenhauer of scored in the 98th percentile on tests to become a Ranger in the American military's elite Special Forces.
Until then, his uniform was a T-shirt and blue jeans, the way his parents Fred and Gay Eisenhauer of Pinckneyville want to remember him. His genius overcame a lifetime of dyslexia (a reading and language disability)--or perhaps fed on it. He was a hero in his family and among his friends.
Wyatt, 26, and named for his dad's motor pool sergeant during the Vietnam War, was killed May 19, 2005 in an apparent attack on his humvee.
For Wyatt Eisenhauer, life was always about the other person.
Eisenhauer was the second Perry County casualty of the Iraqi war. Lance Corporal Drew Uhles of Du Quoin was the first, killed in September of 2004.
Wyatt, the only son among three children, had a huge humanity about him. He wasn't afraid of anything, hand feeding a bear at the age of five, each trusting that no one would be hurt, or giving up his nights and weekends to help care for a sister with Waggoner's Disease, an immune system disorder whose chemotherapy made her sick for hours at a time. He would lay on the floor by her side at night. He would pick his younger sister from her crib and make a neat "tent bed" on the floor so she could play.
He was a quick study and his extreme intelligence allowed him to master anything he looked at. Then, he moved on.
When a Sparta theater was about to open, Wyatt pieced together a complicated automated projection system so the theater could open on time. In Nashville, he solved computer software problems for a trucking company. He won first place in a statewide diesel automotive competition. Just as he entered the military, his dad called him about what the family thought was a transmission problem in a car. Wyatt heard the details over the phone and told them "no, that's not it." The family carried Wyatt's assessment to the automotive shop and the mechanic sided with Wyatt.
There was always something bigger and better ahead. His intelligence and ability to understand were gripping.
He loved music, inspired by Pinckneyville music director Steve Cannedy. He was also inspired by his fifth grade teacher, Debbie Rogers, who commuted between Carbondale and the Pinckneyville elementary school.
He was attracted to the military and to the Special Forces not by the thought of going to Iraq --though he loved his country very much--but instead by the physical and mental challenges the Rangers offered. He received commendation after commendation. As it turned out, the Rangers picked Wyatt. He was to be assigned as a climbing strategies instructor for the Rangers.
He loved kids from disadvantaged families. He liked them all. Because of all these things we remember him--and all other servicemen and woman--on Saturday.
On Saturday, Jume 12, Eisenhauer's memory lives in the annual Wyatt Eisenhauer memorial ride, dinner, auction and dance.
This event is to recognize, honor, and remember all those who have served in the Armed Forces. The proceeds will go to the Wyatt D. Eisenhauer Memorial Fund.
Registration for the memorial ride/ poker run is from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at the Grandstand in the Perry County Fairgrounds (doughnuts, juice, and coffee). All vehicles are welcomed. Opening ceremony is at 10 a.m. The ride will make stops at Riverside Park Veterans memorial in Murphysboro, Marion VFW (light lunch provided), Christopher Veterans memorial and Perry County Veteran's memorial in Pinckneyville.
All you can eat BBQ dinner and silent auction is from 4:30 p.m.. - 7:30 p.m. at the Pinckneyville K of C Hall. Between 5 and 5:30 all those who are currently serving in the military and all veteran in attendance will be recognized. Participants will receive small gifts.
There are a variety of auction items. There will be a dance from 8 p.m. to midnight. There will be a 50/50 drawing and raffle. Raffle prizes include a queen sized, hand-made quilt, Wii, $100 cash prize and gas BBQ grill. All vehicles are welcome to attend.
If you have any questions please feel free to call (618) 318-5035.
The Eisenhauer Memorial Fund in a registered non-profit organization.