A large crowd gathered on the lawn of the Cook County courthouse on Monday, May 30 to join American Legion Post 413 in an observance of Memorial Day. The Cook County High School choir and band members participated in the ceremony, along with the Legion Honor Guard and Auxiliary.
A large crowd gathered under a bright blue sky on Monday, May 30 to observe Memorial Day with American Legion Post 413. Post Commander Don Wilson welcomed and thanked everyone for coming before turning the microphone over to Pastor Kris Garey who offered a prayer for all who mourned.
There was a contingent of young people on hand for the ceremony. The Cook County High School choir sang the national anthem before Bob Carter, a sergeant and medic in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970 spoke.
Carter also thanked everyone for coming, especially because it was such a lovely day. He joked that the golf course was calling him. However, he said the reason for attending the Memorial Day ceremony was more compelling. He said taking part in the ceremony is not just appropriate, but a requirement to honor the millions of men and women who have died in war.
Carter recalled a man he served with—Dave Taborski. He said he had just learned that Taborski had died of physical conditions likely linked to his exposure to Agent Orange and from post-traumatic stress disorder. “Dave and his family are as much a casualty of war as those who were lost overseas,” said Carter. “It’s people like Dave that get overlooked.”
After a weekend of on and off rain showers, the skies cleared for the Monday, May 30 Memorial Day observance on the Cook County courthouse lawn. American Legion Post 413 Auxiliary member Edie Mattson places a wreath at the veterans memorial.
That is the reason for the remembrance, he said.
Carter noted that in the 1990s, President Clinton asked that everyone in the nation pause at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day to remember those who had given their lives for our country. Carter said a few years ago he had the opportunity to be in London, England on Amistice Day, November 11—Veterans Day here in the United States. At precisely 11 a.m., the people of London stopped to honor the day. Everything came to a stop, said Carter. Not a person spoke; not a car moved. “It was phenomenal,” said Carter.
He encouraged everyone to do the same on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. “I ask you to stop and remember those that didn’t come back—or who didn’t come back whole,” said Carter.
Left: Cook County High School senior Owen Anderson plays Taps. Above: Veteran Bob Carter reminded the audience of the importance of honoring this special day.
Commander Wilson read the “honor roll,” the list of names of veterans with ties to Cook County. Between each name, he gently tolled the memorial bell. At the end of the list, he added the name of Dave Taborski, in remembrance of Bob Carter’s comrade.
Edie Mattson of the American Legion Auxiliary placed a wreath on the Cook County Veterans Memorial and the Legion Honor Guard performed a rifle salute.
The ceremony ended with beautiful echoing Taps played by Kerri Bilben and Owen Anderson.
Remembering on
Memorial Day 2016
Herbert Hedstrom
Norman Joynes
Dalton Schroyer
Mike Tofte
Gene Groth
Nick Jacobsen
Bob Helmerson
Russell Carlson
Niles Batdorf
Larry Christie
Art Hedstrom
Bob McCampbell
Bernie Sajdak
George “Whitey” Dockan
Richard Soderlund
Don Sorlie, Sr.
Jim Heinz
Vernon Backlund
David Clutter
Larry Peterson
Richard Lynch
Robert Bockovich
Ruth Ryder
Wayne Schlienz
Tony Cicak
Wally Berglund
Gale Smieja
Dr. Richard Bick
Bob McClanahan
Rodney Henneman
Dave Taborski
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