​Desert Storm remembrance ceremony

Posted on February 28, 2019
Almost three decades later, we still remember Operation Desert Storm. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – 28 years after the Desert Storm ceasefire, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs honored the Illinoisans who served — and the eighteen who died — during an annual ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

The main speaker was Lance Zedric, a Gulf War era veteran and author whose books include Silent Warriors of World War II.

“If, by chance, these eighteen men could be among us today,” asked Zedric, “how might they feel about this proceeding? Would they be embarrassed about the fuss being made over them? Or would they simply smile and nod knowingly among themselves?”

Zedric also quoted George Washington that men’s desire to serve is proportional to the appreciation they receive from those at home.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

 

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…