Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony L Taylor | Paul Benson, World War II veteran who was part of the initial surge that stormed the...... read more read more
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – On May 27, 2013, the Village of Arlington Heights – approximately 25 miles northwest of Chicago – held one of the largest Memorial Day parades in the State of Illinois.
Arlington Heights has been celebrating Memorial Day for many years, to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
As many as 10,000 spectators attended the parade, while close to 5,000 veterans, service members, various Veteran groups, and Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops marched in the parade.
The parade route wound through Arlington Heights ending at Memorial Park for a Wreath Laying ceremony around the Eternal Flame monument.
Distinguished guests at the ceremony were Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky, U.S. House of Representatives 9th District Ill.; Junior Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.); Mayor Tom Hayes, Mayor of Arlington Heights; Brig. Gen. Gracus K. Dunn, commanding general, 85th Support Command; William Hawes, Army Reserve ambassador for Illinois; Greg Padovani, chairman, Veterans Memorial Committee; and Father William Zavaski, St. James Catholic Church.
This year's observance of Memorial Day marked 60 years since the end of the Korean War and 40 years since the last combat troops left Vietnam; but with American forces still in Iraq and Afghanistan, Padovani invited one veteran from each of those conflicts to speak during the ceremony following the parade.
The speakers were Korean War veteran Wally Luettschwager, Vietnam War veteran William “Bill” Dussling and Afghanistan War veteran D. Court Harris. This year the three U.S. Army veterans were chosen to give remarks about their service and what Memorial Day meant for them.
“It was never classified as a war, but was considered a police action,” said Luettschwager. “However it was a war, and there were a lot of men that would attest to that.”
Those that served there, those that were on the front line, the wounded, and especially those whose voice is now silent - the captured and those that died there,” said Luettschwager. “Some of them were my friends.”
The war ended with a political agreement and both sides pulled back from the military zone. The Korean War ended in July 1953 for the United States, when the armistice was signed with North Korea.
Luettschwager then read a letter that was sent to him, 10 years ago to mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War.
“…We Koreans hold dear in our hearts conviction, courage, and spirit of sacrifice shown to us by our selfless friends as you,” Luettschwager reads. “You enabled us to remain a free democratic nation … half a century after the Korean War we honor you and we affirm our friendship which helped to form the blood alliance between our two countries.”
The letter was sincerely signed by Kim Dae-jung, president of the Republic of Korea.
Vietnam War veteran Bill Dussling’s time in service ended on August 8, 1968, when he boarded a jet in Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam headed back to the United States.
Dussling served as a helicopter pilot during a yearlong tour in Vietnam. He spoke of how his time in service was different for him, and for those that served with him during the Vietnam War, than those that served in the wars before him.
“The Vietnam War Era was a time of extreme confusion for this country,” said Dussling. “For those of us that served in Vietnam, the treatment we received upon return caused us great confusion. What have we done wrong? Why is my service not appreciated? I did what was asked of me.”
He was only welcomed by his wife and family, and the joy of being home safely seemed to be enough for him.
Prior to last year’s Memorial Day parade in Arlington Heights, he had never felt appreciated for his service. Greg Padovani extended an invitation to Dussling as well as hundreds of other Vietnam War veterans to march and be “welcomed home” in the 2012 parade.
“The finest words that were expressed that day was when a veteran shook your hand and said ‘Welcome home’ with eyes misted,” said Dussling. “And the same words were said in return.”
Dussling said last year’s parade and the outpouring of gratitude by those observing the parade, made him feel welcomed home. It had closed a loop in his life, he was truly home.
“What I did not realize is the profound impact that the two words ‘Welcome home’ would have on me,” said Dussling. “So I offer these two words to all of the veterans, your service is greatly appreciated, thank you, God bless you, and welcome home.”
Harris spoke to the crowd about his time deployed to Forward Operating Base Arena, Herat, Afghanistan last year on Memorial Day. He recalled the conversation that he had with some Italian and Spanish colleagues over dinner, in attempt to explain to them the concept of Memorial Day.
“The concept of Memorial Day as we know it here is unique,” said Harris. “That’s what makes our country the greatest in the history of the world. That we have this holiday and it started with people like you. Memorial Day began at the community level, as a local observance years before it was recognized nationally.”
“Almost 7,000 service members have paid the ultimate sacrifice in our most recent wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Harris. “Men like Lieutenant Tyler Parton, a West Point classmate of mine who was a musician and had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Men like Arlington Heights native, Lance Cpl. James Stack, who was a champion air pistol shooter and had taken part in the Junior Olympics. Lt. Parton, Lance Cpl. Stack and all the others, they could have done anything in life, but they decided to join the armed forces and serve our country. As I look out there at all of you, I know that their sacrifice is not forgotten or taken for granted.”
As we prepare to lay the wreaths in honor of the veterans and fallen heroes, we will not forget that while many of the brave men and women died protecting one another, said Harris. All of them served so that we could keep the things that we love the most, God, country and family.
| Date Taken: | 05.27.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2013 23:22 |
| Story ID: | 107902 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 122 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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