CLINTON —
American flags Monday waved and patriotic speeches echoed to a full crowd despite rain and thunder at the Clinton Memorial Day Service.
The River City Municipal band played a 30-minute program before the ceremony started at 10 a.m in Clinton Lawn Cemetery.
Related: View a slideshow of photos from the ceremony
Ed Staszewski, director of veterans affairs in Clinton County, gave the welcome and introductions.
Clinton City Council member Paul Gassman, Ward 4, shared his childhood memories of visiting memorials with his parents. It is our responsibility to show children and grandchildren why they live in the most free country in the world, he said.
Farrell Reese of the Clinton American Legion lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Ben and Tom Ehrhart sang the National Anthem. Stephanie Stremlow gave the Eagles Auxillary memorial and Gene Kracht gave the Eagles Aerie memorial.
As audience members popped open umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain, Tim McLaughlin delivered the Moose Lodge Memorial. The military serves all over the world no matter what the weather is, McLaugh-lin said.
Tom Buelow, who is retired from the U.S. Navy, was the featured speaker at the program.
Buelow was born in Clinton, graduated from Clinton High School in May 1977 and reported to US Navy boot camp in June of that year. He worked as a Korean linguist at the Naval Security Group Activity Hanza Okinawa and the National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, as well as a Navy recruiter and counselor until his retirement in 1997. He is a veteran of the first Persian Gulf War.
After retiring, Buelow and his wife, Cathy, and their five children returned to Clinton. He graduated from Clinton Community College in 1999 and the Franciscan University in 2004. Buelow now is a Realtor with Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors. Two of their sons are currently serving in the U.S. Navy.
Military service takes a toll on families, Buelow said during his Memorial Day address.
“Not knowing from day to day where their spouses are and what they’re doing and many times not knowing when or if they’re coming home,” he said.
Throughout his speech, Buelow spoke of the sacrifices those serving in the military make.
“Why?” he asked “So all of us could wake up this morning in the greatest nation this world has ever known.”
He then asked the audience to take a vow to make sacrifices for the country.
Following Buelow’s speech, Roberta Gee and Bill Rickerl gave the GAR memorial.
Eugene Steensen read the Honor Roll of the 139 veterans who passed away since last Memorial Day and AMVETS Post No. 28 rifle squad with Joe Kampling, Sgt. At Arms, gave a salute to the dead.
Don Krambeck, American Legion Post No. 190 chaplain, concluded the service by giving the benediction.
The Fulton American Legion Post No. 402, AMVETS Post No. 28, AMVETS Post No. 28 Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS Post No. 28, Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 705, Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 705 Auxiliary, Clinton Area Vietnam Veterans Memorial Association and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge No. 363 were also represented at the event.
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Retired Navy veteran Tom Buelow delivers the Memorial Day Address during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. Katie Dahlstrom/Clinton Herald
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May 29, 2012
Remembering the fallen
Clinton service honors 139 veterans who have died in past year
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