Honoring the True Meaning of Memorial Day: A Ceremony at Woodland Cemetery
The importance of teaching, learning, and understanding the true meaning of Memorial Day was the central message at the annual Van Wert American Legion Post 178 Memorial Day service held at Woodland Cemetery on Monday.
Stephanie Renner, a teacher and Veterans Day program coordinator at Lincolnview, delivered a powerful address to a large gathering on a cool, windy, and cloudy Memorial Day morning.
"For many, Memorial Day seems to be just another holiday off work," Renner remarked. "Do our children truly understand what today signifies? Do they grasp the profound impact of losing someone they love who selflessly served others? This is why understanding Memorial Day is crucial—not only for our youth but for our community to come together, to remember, to support those who grieve, and to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect strangers."
"On Memorial Day, we remember the fallen who gave their lives for our nation," she continued. "We honor their bravery, sacrifice, and dedication. What were their sacrifices for if we don't remember our veterans?"
Renner emphasized the need for future generations to understand what it means to be a veteran, highlighting the sacrifices veterans make by leaving behind their families, friends, and jobs without expecting anything in return.
She also stressed the importance of asking veterans about their stories to ensure that future generations never forget their contributions to making the United States a great nation.
During her speech, Renner shared stories about her great-grandfather, Lawrence Gehres, who served in World War I, and her grandfathers, Vernon C. Kill and Richard Gehres, both World War II veterans. Vernon C. Kill served in the U.S. Army, and Richard Gehres served in the U.S. Navy. Although Renner never met Kill, she learned about his sacrifices through family stories and letters. His injuries in World War II ultimately cost him his life, and he was awarded multiple medals, including two Purple Hearts, for his bravery.
Renner recounted Kill's heroic actions, including an incident where he was shot by a Nazi tank while trying to save his men. Despite severe injuries, he chose to return to the front line and suffered additional injuries.
She also shared the personal loss of her other grandfather on Memorial Day 2011, describing him as one of the most important people in her life.
"He was incredibly special and taught me so much, including my love for this country and the importance of honoring our veterans," Renner said. "He meant so much to me that I brought him to show-and-tell in elementary school as the thing that meant the most to me."
She continued, sharing that those who knew him affectionately called him "Grandpa Chubby." He made it a point to take his family to parades, celebrations, and programs honoring veterans to demonstrate how they should be revered. She recounted the emotional events of May 30, 2011, the day Gehres passed away. Gehres had planned to attend a Memorial Day program but called to say he wasn’t feeling well. A squad was called, and he was taken to the hospital.
"They informed us he had a massive heart attack, and they weren't sure how he even survived," Renner said. "Lutheran Lifeflight was called due to the extent of the damage, to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible in Fort Wayne. The flight crew announced they 'had the most special passenger aboard, a World War II veteran,' which Grandpa thought was wonderful since he always loved flying.
“When we left the hospital to head to Lutheran, my grandpa gave my mom a thumbs up and said, ‘Don’t forget to put my flag out before you head to Lutheran.’ Even in the midst of everything, he was worried about not having the flag up. Little did we know that within the next few minutes, he would have a second heart attack. The Lifeflight nurse never stopped doing compressions on my grandpa the entire flight and later told us all she wanted to do was save this World War II veteran on Memorial Day.”
“Memorial Day is so important, and we must make it our duty to preserve this day of remembrance for those who come after us,” she added.
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American Legion Post 178 Commander Ken Myers provided the opening remarks, noting that veterans have three days they look forward to, yet cringe at the same time – Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday of May), Veterans Day (November 11), and Memorial Day, the final Monday of May.
"Today is Memorial Day, and we celebrate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives for our freedom," Myers said. "While most will be celebrating with a barbecue or get-together, please take a moment to pay tribute to those no longer here to enjoy this day."
Monday’s service also featured patriotic music by the Paul Hoverman Group, the Placing of the Wreath by Renner and her son Carter Renner, a 21-gun salute and taps, the invocation and benediction by Dick Elder, and the firing of one cannon volley in honor of Civil War veterans who died in combat.
After the ceremony, a free luncheon was held at Post 178.
In addition to the ceremony in Van Wert, other services were held in Ohio City, Convoy, Willshire, and Venedocia.
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