On the left, former Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465 Commander and Vietnam veteran Bob Berger delivered a Memorial Day speech at a wreath laying ceremony in Prairie Home Cemetery in the Village of Climax; Right: Climax-Scotts High School graduate and veteran Jordan Roberts performed taps at the conclusion of the Climax Memorial Day ceremony in Prairie Home Cemetery.
(Photos by Bruce Rolfe)
Vietnam veteran emphasizes sacrifices
made by many in speech
By Bruce Rolfe
Sacrifice.
It’s a word deeply rooted in the history of our great country for those who have served and continue to serve.
Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Vietnam veteran Bob Berger, of Galesburg, emphasized to a large Memorial Day audience first in the Climax Village Park and later at Prairie Home Cemetery, the importance of remembering those who have sacrificed and those who continue to sacrifice defending our country’s freedom.
Berger said dangers exist in every branch and every military occupation.
“Today, we honor the more than one million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while serving in wars and missions since the American Revolution. Each story is unique, and each story represents heartbreak to the family and friends left to mourn,” said Berger, the former Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465 commander.
He outlined a few examples of courage, bravery, and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
He talked about Navy SEALS Nathan Gage Ingram and Christoper J. Chambers who attempted to board an unflagged ship in the Arabian Sea that was carrying Iranian-made weapons to Yemen on January 11th. As they were leaving their boat to climb the contraband ship, waves reportedly widened the gap between the two vessels. Chambers plunged into the water. Ingram jumped in to save him. They were never seen again.
In another incident, Berger described how Private Furman L. Smith, who served with the Army’s 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division and his unit came under intense fire from German forces near Lanuvio, Italy 80 years ago. Severely outnumbered by the enemy, Private Smith tended to seriously wounded comrades, even as others withdrew. Smith emptied clip after clip of his M-1 rifle and killed at least 10 enemy soldiers before he was fatally shot. The 19-year-old from Six Mile, South Carolina, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Many were heros away from the combat field that need to be remembered.
Berger noted Lieutenant Colonel Annie Ruth Graham, who served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, was assigned to the 91st Evacuation Hospital in Tuy Hoa when she succumbed to a stroke in 1968. She is one of eight women whose names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Colonel William “Rich” Higgins was a Marine who served as a chief observer on a United Nations peacekeeping mission. On February 17th, 1988, the Vietnam veteran was driving on a coastal road in southern Lebanon when his car was suddenly blocked by another vehicle, and he was taken hostage by Hezbollah terrorists. He endured months of torture before his captors released a video of his hanging. He was declared dead by the U.S. government on July 6th, 1990. He was survived by his wife, Robin, and daughter, Christine.
“As proud Americans, we should all remember that our freedom is not free. It is only possible because heroes, some from our own families or neighborhoods, have paid a high price. It’s that price which enables us to have ceremonies and observances like this in towns across this great country,” said Berger, the current chaplain for the C-S American Legion Post #465 and Legion Riders and who has served as Michigan 40 & 8 chaplain.
Berger told the large audience that Waterloo, New York is considered the official birth place of Memorial Day and offered some history behind the holiday.
He also told stories how many men rest in graves at Normandy American Cemetery, while others rest at Arlington or in their hometown burial places. Many more survived the war and raised their families “under the peace and freedom that they and their brothers and sisters in arms fought so hard to achieve.”
The Vietnam veteran then told a story about a survivor of war who recently passed away, who felt it was important to remember those who did not return home.
On April 1, 2024, Lou Conter, the last survivor of the USS Arizona, passed away at the age of 102. During Pearl Harbor observances in 2020, Lou said to The American Legion, “We’re not the heroes.
The 1,177 who went down with the ship are the heroes. You have to remember we got to go home, get married, have children and grandchildren, and we’ve lived a good life. Those who didn’t get to do that should be called the heroes.”
“We must always remember them. May they all rest in peace,” concluded Berger, who has served as Michigan Legion 3rd District commander, State of Michigan vice commander, 40 & 8 Calhoun County Voiture 181 commander and current chaplain.
Sacrifice.
It’s a word deeply rooted in the history of our great country for those who have served and continue to serve.
Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Vietnam veteran Bob Berger, of Galesburg, emphasized to a large Memorial Day audience first in the Climax Village Park and later at Prairie Home Cemetery, the importance of remembering those who have sacrificed and those who continue to sacrifice defending our country’s freedom.
Berger said dangers exist in every branch and every military occupation.
“Today, we honor the more than one million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while serving in wars and missions since the American Revolution. Each story is unique, and each story represents heartbreak to the family and friends left to mourn,” said Berger, the former Climax-Scotts American Legion Post #465 commander.
He outlined a few examples of courage, bravery, and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
He talked about Navy SEALS Nathan Gage Ingram and Christoper J. Chambers who attempted to board an unflagged ship in the Arabian Sea that was carrying Iranian-made weapons to Yemen on January 11th. As they were leaving their boat to climb the contraband ship, waves reportedly widened the gap between the two vessels. Chambers plunged into the water. Ingram jumped in to save him. They were never seen again.
In another incident, Berger described how Private Furman L. Smith, who served with the Army’s 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division and his unit came under intense fire from German forces near Lanuvio, Italy 80 years ago. Severely outnumbered by the enemy, Private Smith tended to seriously wounded comrades, even as others withdrew. Smith emptied clip after clip of his M-1 rifle and killed at least 10 enemy soldiers before he was fatally shot. The 19-year-old from Six Mile, South Carolina, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Many were heros away from the combat field that need to be remembered.
Berger noted Lieutenant Colonel Annie Ruth Graham, who served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, was assigned to the 91st Evacuation Hospital in Tuy Hoa when she succumbed to a stroke in 1968. She is one of eight women whose names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Colonel William “Rich” Higgins was a Marine who served as a chief observer on a United Nations peacekeeping mission. On February 17th, 1988, the Vietnam veteran was driving on a coastal road in southern Lebanon when his car was suddenly blocked by another vehicle, and he was taken hostage by Hezbollah terrorists. He endured months of torture before his captors released a video of his hanging. He was declared dead by the U.S. government on July 6th, 1990. He was survived by his wife, Robin, and daughter, Christine.
“As proud Americans, we should all remember that our freedom is not free. It is only possible because heroes, some from our own families or neighborhoods, have paid a high price. It’s that price which enables us to have ceremonies and observances like this in towns across this great country,” said Berger, the current chaplain for the C-S American Legion Post #465 and Legion Riders and who has served as Michigan 40 & 8 chaplain.
Berger told the large audience that Waterloo, New York is considered the official birth place of Memorial Day and offered some history behind the holiday.
He also told stories how many men rest in graves at Normandy American Cemetery, while others rest at Arlington or in their hometown burial places. Many more survived the war and raised their families “under the peace and freedom that they and their brothers and sisters in arms fought so hard to achieve.”
The Vietnam veteran then told a story about a survivor of war who recently passed away, who felt it was important to remember those who did not return home.
On April 1, 2024, Lou Conter, the last survivor of the USS Arizona, passed away at the age of 102. During Pearl Harbor observances in 2020, Lou said to The American Legion, “We’re not the heroes.
The 1,177 who went down with the ship are the heroes. You have to remember we got to go home, get married, have children and grandchildren, and we’ve lived a good life. Those who didn’t get to do that should be called the heroes.”
“We must always remember them. May they all rest in peace,” concluded Berger, who has served as Michigan Legion 3rd District commander, State of Michigan vice commander, 40 & 8 Calhoun County Voiture 181 commander and current chaplain.
Galesburg Boy Scout Troop 265 assisted at the Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony in the Climax Village Park.
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