The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher-Owner
Memorial Day Services at La Harpe Monday drew a large crowd of patriots, veterans, and families who have someone serving in the military. Several have lost family members, others came who understand the cost of freedom and wish to honor all those who protect it.
All have been moved by the loss of La Harpe's own Marine Cpl. Evan James, son of Mike and Donna James, this March, during the first week of America's declared war on Saddam Hussein and his cruel regime- "Iraqi Freedom".
The American Legion Post #301, the Auxiliary and the City of La Harpe sponsored the annual Memorial Day service in the city park at the site of the Veterans Memorial.
"The past year was a year of mixed emotions - proud moments and sad moments, but all feel blessed to live in a community that comes together in times of need," said Mayor Kenneth Brown.
"Memorial Day is a day when we should stop and take time to remember and pay respects to our past, present and future heros in La Harpe and surrounding area."
"Our military veterans are men and women who go or have gone the extra mile to protect their fellow Americans and homeland. They go with their heads held high to protect us all. To these brave people we say "Thank you".
"Some, sad to say as we have witnessed recently, don't make it home. To them and their families, we give our thoughts and prayers.
"If you come face to face with a person in a military uniform, don't be bashful, hold out your hand and thank him or her for protecting your family and your little spot in our great land.
Mayor Brown read a listing of 19 La Harpe graduates who are serving in the military plus fallen Cpl. Evan James.
He asked that each to please take the time to thank thees families who have loved ones serving in our behalf.
Mayor Brown read a letter from Capt. John Bruzza, USMC who accompanied the body of Marine Cpl. Evan James to La Harpe. The letter describes the feelings a one who serves when we take time to recognize their service.
"Honors for a Fallen Marine"
"1st Sgt. Berg, Gunny Sgt. Bontkowski and I went to St. Louis International airport tonight to meet the body of Corporal Evan James when he came in on an American Airlines flight.
"When we found out the time and airline of his arrival, Gunny Bontkowski called the Airport Operations to arrange for us to be on the tarmac to meet the body and put it in the hearse. What happened next would choke up the hardest Marine.
"We arrived at the airport and it seemed like every airport cop employed there was around to make sure that we got on the tarmac. The plane pulled up and the casket (in the travel dunnage) came down the ramp and we loaded it into the hearse.
"As we left the tarmac with an airport police escort, the gate guards saluted.
"We then picked up our escorts from the Missouri State Police.
"We passed by the gate of the Missouri Air National Guard unit and their guards were rendering full honors to our convoy.
"The Airport police had blocked off ALL traffic in and out of the airport when we departed. The state troopers were in the lead and in trail.
"State troopers had also blocked off I-70 so our convoy would easily get on the highway. The troopers escorted the hearse to Hannibal, Missouri, where it crossed the state line into Illinois.
"At that point, the Illinois State Police took over the escort duties all the way to La Harpe.
"They went well out of their way to honor a Marine they did not know from Adam.
"Words alone cannot express the pride, humility, and emotions that we felt for Cpl. James and the Marine Corps."
Semper Fi,
Capt. John Bruzza, USMC
May God bless our veterans, our freedom, and our homeland.
The following persons is the list that read of LHS grads currently serving in our behalf:
Sgt. Gary Jackson, US Army, LHS Graduate, Parents - Roger Jackson and Ann Carrel, Stepson of Mort Carrel and Marilyn Jackson, wife Shana.
FC3 Alex J. Lovell, US Navy, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Brian Lovell, wife Laurie.
CPL. Colby Yard, US Marines, LHS Graduate, Parents - Carl and Leanna Yard, Robin and Bill Huffman
SRA Brian Blythe, US Air Force, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Mike Blythe
Petty Officer Brandon Farmer, US Navy, LHS Graduate, Mother - Tammy McKeown
CPL Josh Palmer, US Marines, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Doug Palmer
Sgt. James Humphrey, US Marines, NWHS Graduate, Parents Cheryl Klein and Carl Humphrey
Staff Sgt. Tim Bouseman, US Air Force, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Brian Bouseman
Petty Officer 3rd Class Donnie Owsley, U.S. Navy, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Max Owsley
Airman 1st Class Royce DeJaynes, US Air Force, NWHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Roger DeJaynes
Sgt. Nathan Sartorious, US Army, LHS Graduate, Son of Mary Norvell, Grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bradley (wife Michelle)
Corp Wes Olson, US Army, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mrs. Libby Olson and the late Bill Olson (wife Heidi)
SR. Airman Charlie Dalton, US Air Force, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mrs. Pat Dalton and the late Charles Dalton
Cpl. Jessie Farquer, US Army National Guard, LHS Graduate, Mother - Dennette McCombs
SPC Shawn Thompson, US Army National Guard, LHS Graduate, Parents - Brenda Burt and Mark Thompson
SPC Adam Housewright, US Army National Guard, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Steve Housewright
Pvt. Jared Jones, US Army National Guard, LHS Graduate, Parents - Donna and the late Steve Jones
PFC Devin Lennix, US Army National Guard, NWHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Jim Lennix
A1st Class Ryan Sharpe, US Air Force, LHS Graduate, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Randy Sharpe
Cpl. Evan James, US Marines, LHS Graduate, Killed in action in Iraq, March 24, 2003, Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Mike James
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American's Heritage is dependent upon those who serve. Old Veterans remember, new enlistees are ready to serve. Tiffany K. Jones, 23, a La Harpe grad, recently joined the U.S. Navy guard in Peoria with hopes of being in the medical field. She has received training as a CNA and EMT. Tiffany is the granddaughter of Harold and Mildred (Russell) Jones of La Harpe and daughter of Donna and the late Steve Jones. |
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1st Lieut. Chris Balmer-U.S. Army of Macomb served in the 40s in all 5 major battles in Europe (Normandy, S. France, N. France, Central Europe, Germany) during WW II. He was on the front lines seeing 10 months of combat in his 26 months overseas. He received the Purple Heart after he was wounded in 1944 bringing his commanding officer back from the front lines. "The service was beautiful, best I've ever been to," he said. "I can't tell you how close I came to being a dead one." Balmer says people are more patriotic. "We lost patriotism for several years until 9-11." Balmer received his purple heart in "76. He stands at attention during the American Legion's 21-gun salute (in the background). |