Top row, left: World War II POW Vincent Rolves spoke briefly about his experiences while being a prisoner of war for 18 months, and losing 83 pounds while being held captive. Top row, right: Lt. Col. John Haake offers a toast to the veterans and to those who support them. Middle: Henrietta Albers and Sep Brueggemann are this year’s Veterans Day parade grand marshals. Bottom: Members of the Sounds of Harmony Chorus sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” (Photos by Kelly Jo Ross) Snow, sleet and cold weather forced the cancellation of the annual Veterans Day Parade in Germantown on Monday afternoon, however, the parade will go on this Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Germantown.
The annual parade was scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, but Germantown American Legion Diesen-Winkler Post 325 announced the cancellation early afternoon on Veterans Day, right before the Veterans Day program was set to begin at the Legion.
While the parade was postponed to this coming Sunday, attendees were warm and toasty at the Veterans Day program this past Monday at Germantown Legion.
The program was led by Post 325 Commander Terry Biggs.
Biggs thanked the Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of American Legion and the Veterans Day Parade Committee, and after recognizing other special guests, Biggs introduced Lt. Col. John Haake, a native of Germantown, who served as the guest speaker.
Haake is married to his wife Abby and they have two children. They are currently stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He is the son of the late Ray and Linda Haake. His siblings are Mary (Cory) Haake, Patricia Haake, Lisa Haake, Donna (Kyle) Santel and Chandler Haake.
Haake spoke about the advocacy and mentorship of organizations like the American Legion.
Haake also encouraged veterans to talk about their time in the service, to ensure that the history's freedom is not forgotten.
"You have helped to write history and to secure this nation's freedom," he said. "You are the footnotes that history requires to give the context a human side serving that just can't be found anywhere else. It is a priceless contribution — not just for the community — but to the side of history that does not get told in history books. Not everyone is ready to tell their story, which is absolutely fine, but when you are ready, please do so."
He said that for many veterans, it was a time and place that they felt they had to do something and once it was done, then life moved on.
"That quiet professionalism is commonplace within our collective community, but quiet doesn't mean silence. It is all in how it is told and who it is told to. Let your stories be told to inspire and mentor those who will follow and to be learned by those who will make our nation's decisions in the future," he said.
Keith Hamilton, of Breese, who once served as officer in charge of the Breese post office, has been appointed its postmaster, succeeding Kathy Albrecht, who was named postmaster in Greenville effective Sept. 28. (Photo by Bryan Hunt) There's been a change of command at the United States Post Office in Breese.
Keith Hamilton, 46, of Breese, has been appointed the successor to postmaster Kathy Albrecht, effective Nov. 9.
Hamilton has been serving as what's known as the officer in charge in Breese, a post he's held since Aug. 31.
Albrecht served as the officer in charge at the Greenville post office and was awarded the postmaster's job there.
Albrecht started in Greenville on Sept. 28. She started in Breese as postmaster on June 30, 2012.
In addition to Breese, Hamilton has also served as an officer in charge at post offices in St. Jacob, Germantown and New Baden.
Which is why he's a familiar face at the facility.
Because he's low key, Hamilton was asked if he wanted an official ceremony, but he did not, he said, laughing.
"I'm good," he said during an interview on Nov. 7.
Hamilton said once Albrecht was officially installed in Greenville, the Breese vacancy was posted, and he applied for that.
Hamilton said he was interviewed on Oct. 22, and he was called on the afternoon of Oct. 23 and told by his supervisor that he was selected as the winning bidder for the Breese position.
In that process, Hamilton said, if there's more than 10 people who put in for a position, it goes to a committee.
That committee then filters it to the top five candidates, then they decide on those that will get interviews.
Hamilton said there were four people who applied for the Breese postmaster's job.
State-Bound — The Mater Dei Lady Knights volleyball team celebrates after winning the Class 2A Wesclin Sectional title before they took down Fairfield to win the Vandalia Super-Sectional title. The Lady Knights will play in the State Tournament in Bloomington on Friday and Saturday. (Photo by Jeremy Chawgo) For the first time in five seasons, the Mater Dei Lady Knights volleyball team will be stepping on the floor at Redbird Arena in Normal for the Class 2A State Final Four.
The Lady Knights will be looking for their 8th state title and they will bring back their 17th trophy on Saturday. Mater Dei is 30-9 on the season after routing Fairfield in the Vandalia Super-Sectional and dispatching of Pinckneyville in the Wesclin Sectional final.
Mater Dei will play St. Joseph-Ogden on Friday with a noon start scheduled. The Spartans are 36-4 on the season where they have won their past 21 matches including a 3-game thriller over Chicago Christian in the Christian Super-Sectional. They advanced to state with a 15-25, 25-23, 25-16 win
The Spartans were the Class 2A State runner-ups in 2016 and this will be the team’s third trip to the State Tournament.
During the postseason run, the Lady Knights players have climbed up in the record books. Junior setter Jessie Timmermann broke her own school record for assists in a season with 898. She is second all-time in career assists with 1,770. Sam Bedard holds the record at 1,861.
Sophomore Tori Mohesky climbed to third all-time in kills during a season with 313 kills. She is also 9th all-time in kills for a career with 516. Junior Audrey Lampe cracked the top 10 in digs during a season with 411.
Mater Dei 25-25, Fairfield 11-8: The Lady Knights barely let the bus cool down with their 39-minute rout over the Lady Mules on Friday in the Vandalia Super-Sectional.
Sophomore Riley Kleber continued her torrid postseason with 12 kills and six service points to lead the Lady Knights. She has 35 kills in the postseason which leads MD.
“She doesn’t feel (pressure), she just plays,” Mater Dei head coach Chad Rakers said. “This is the type of match that we as coaches have been looking for. We took over from the start and never let up.”
Mater Dei was dominant at the net as they outhit the Mules 20-11 while they added five blocks. MD had just six unforced errors in the match compared to 21 from FHS.
| Fri., Nov. 8 |
446.82 |
| Sun., Nov. 10 | 446.51 |
| Tues., Nov. 12 | 446.33 |
| Nov. 6 | .00" |
| Nov. 7 | .05" |
| Nov. 8 | .00" |
| Nov. 9 |
.00" |
| Nov. 10 | .00" |
| Nov. 11 | .00" |
| Nov. 12 | .13" |
