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Steeleville holds Memorial Day tribute

Posted May 28, 2017 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Editor@heraldtrib.com

Steeleville honored its deceased veterans on Monday with its annual Memorial Day tribute at Steeleville City Park.

Featured speaker this year was Tara Welch, U.S. Air Force recruiter and technical sergeant.

"The secretary of the Air Force delivered a memorial address to our Air Force members this week, in which she quoted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in his address during the Battle of Britain," Welch said in brief remarks. "(Churchill) said 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.'"

Welch noted that Churchill's words "are the embodiment of Memorial Day."

"Today, we are here to honor those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for us all," Welch said. "Today, we let our Gold Star families know that we remember their sacrifice as well, and that we did not forget their loved ones once they laid them to rest.

"We stand with them in remembrance and we will never forget those that took their oath of service before self to the highest level possible."

After Welch's remarks, Tom Mevert and Dave Wente read the roll call of deceased Steeleville veterans, some going back to the Spanish-American War in 1898.

Steeleville American Legion Post 480 Junior Vice Commander/Sergeant at Arms Mike Kuhenle  laid the ceremonial wreath at the park's veterans memorial to honor the village's fallen heroes, while members of the Steeleville American Legion Riders and the Legion's Honor Guard fired a military salute.

Rudy Eggemeyer played "Taps" for those in attendance, while Post 480 Chaplain Jim Word read the invocation and benediction. Post Commander Ray Wedemeyer delivered the opening and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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