Stephanie Renner addresses those in attendance during Monday’s annual Van Wert American Legion Post 178 Memorial Day ceremony at Woodland Cemetery. Scott Truxell/VW independent
At Monday's annual Memorial Day service at Woodland Cemetery, organized by Van Wert American Legion Post 178, the focus was on educating, learning, and truly comprehending the essence of Memorial Day.
Stephanie Renner, a teacher and Veterans Day program coordinator at Lincolnview, delivered a poignant message to a large audience gathered on a cool, windy, and cloudy Memorial Day morning.
"Memorial Day often seems like just another day off for many," Renner remarked. "But do our children grasp the significance of today? Do they understand the profound impact of losing a loved one who selflessly served others? It's crucial for our youth and our community to come together, to remember, and to support those grieving. We must acknowledge all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard those they never had the chance to meet."
"On Memorial Day, we honor the fallen who laid down their lives for our nation," she continued. "We pay tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to duty. If we fail to remember our veterans, then what purpose did their sacrifices serve?"
Renner emphasized the importance of preserving veterans' stories so that future generations never forget the sacrifices made to make the United States a beacon of freedom.
During her speech, Renner shared the stories of her great-grandfather, Lawrence Gehres, a World War I veteran, and her grandfathers, Vernon C. Kill and Richard Gehres, both World War II veterans. She recounted Kill's bravery on the battlefield and his ultimate sacrifice due to injuries sustained during the war, which earned him multiple Purple Hearts.
Renner also shared the personal loss of her other grandfather on Memorial Day in 2011, highlighting his profound influence on her life and her deep appreciation for this country and its veterans. She fondly recalled bringing him in for show-and-tell during elementary school, a testament to the special bond they shared.
She went on to say that those who knew him affectionately called him “Grandpa Chubby” and she said he took his family to parades, celebrations and programs to honor veterans to show how they should be revered. She also shared the emotional events of May 30, 2011, the day Gehres passed away. He was set to Memorial Day program that day 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 were sure how he even survived,” Renner said. “Lutheran Lifeflight was called due to the extent of the damage and to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible in Fort Wayne. The flight told everyone they ‘had the most special passenger aboard, a World War II veteran,’ and grandpa thought that was wonderful as he always had a love for 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 all he had going on, he was worried about not having 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 he 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.
American Legion Post 178 Commander Ken Myers provided opening remarks and said veterans have three days they look forward, 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 barbeque or get-together of some sort, please take a moment to pay tribute to those who are not here to enjoy this day any longer.”
Monday’s service also included 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, and 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 for all at Post 178.
In addition to the ceremony in Van Wert, other services were held around the area, including Ohio City, Convoy, Willshire and Venedocia.
