A Tribute to Our Heroes

At the Veteran's Park in Springfield on this beautiful Memorial Day, with a slight cool breeze blowing, the Tribute to Our Heroes was presented to a crowd of 400+. All seated in chairs, standing in the rear, seated on the grass and lining the roadside just to pay Tribute to our Fallen Heroes.

Under the breeze blowing, were American Flags, the flags of each branch of service and the POW/MIA banner. There were many wheelchairs occupied by Viet-Nam vets, some WW II vets dressed in their class "A" uniforms, ...Army, ...Navy, ...American Legion, ...Purple Heart Members and many ex-military in civilian clothes.

The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Thomas G. Allen, presented Captain Brad Lewis, Chaplain, 3/160 Special Operations Aviation Regiment to offer the Invocation. This was followed by the Effingham High School Junior Air Force R.O.T.C. Presentation of Colors led by Major Danny Burgstiner.

The Star Spangled Banner was sung and led by Captain Mike Sherbak, U.S. Naval Reserve and backed up by the Community Choir composed of choir members of the First Baptist Church of Rincon and Springfield, under the direction of Ms. Susan Hartzog. Then the Pledge to the Flag was led by Major Burgstiner.

There was the Welcome Address by Fourth District County Commissioner Reginald Loper. Songs were sung in honor of each branch of the military and Veterans would stand when the song of their branch of service was played. I noticed many tears in the crowd, myself included.

Major Lucio Niko Vandevoorde presented the "Tribute to those who have given their lives in Afghanistan in the war on terrorism, ...Operation Enduring Freedom." He said that for over 230 years men and women of Effingham County have answered their country's call to take up arms in the cause of Freedom.

He specifically made note that on the same day, the 28th of June, 2005, Staff Sgt. Shamus Otto Goare and Sgt. Michael Lynn Russell were killed in separate events when their helicopters were shot down by enemy fire during combat operations. These men were residents of Rincon, Georgia.

Then Major Vandevoorde and Ms. Lee, Chairwoman of the Board of Veterans Park, assisted in the Unveiling of the Tribute stones for the families of Sgt's Russell and Goare. The wives then placed a single Red Rose upon the Tribute Stone and then proceeded to a White Cross where they attached another Rose.

He then spoke of CW 4 Michael Wright, who also resided in Rincon, who was killed June 1st, 2006, on a training mission in Moultrie, Georgia. The Wright family then also placed Red Roses to the Cross. This Cross will remain at the Wall of Honor within the Park.

All attendees sang "God Bless America" while waving the American Flags. Then, TAPS was played and the Colors were retired.

Many comments were made by attendees, but most agreed saying "I am glad to be an American!"