Community comes to New Baden to support veterans
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
United States Air Force Retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert M. Dandridge of New Baden speaks during Veterans Day ceremonies on Nov. 11 in New Baden. Clinton County residents supported veterans of all branches during Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The county-wide celebration — hosted by New Baden American Legion Post 321 — included a church service, program, dinner, parade and music.
The Vietnam veterans posted the colors to open the ceremony.
Bill Austin from the New Baden American Legion filled in for Wayne Madson as master of ceremonies. Austin recognized the POW/MIA table at the front of the ceremony.
New Baden Mayor Bob Oster thanked everyone for attending.
"I would like to welcome all of our veterans and guests to New Baden," Oster said. "I am honored to give thanks to all of the men and women that have served and sacrificed in war for our country. It is our responsibility as a country to give our continued support to all of our veterans and their families. Today is the day to express our gratitude."
101-year-old ex-POW World War II veteran Vincent Rolves Madson introduced ex-POW from World War II and the last Clinton County POW 101-year-old Vincent Rolves and Gold Star Family member Kim Smith.
United States Air Force Retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert M. Dandridge of New Baden was the keynote speaker.
Dandridge is a life member of American Legion, Larimore Post 97 in Larimore, North Dakota, since 1998 and currently resides in New Baden with his wife. He enlisted in the United States Air Force before graduating high school and served for 30 years, with a majority of his time as a civil engineer, career advisor and first sergeant.
He also earned a bachelor's degree in social psychology and retired as a Command Chief Master Sergeant. Following his military service, he volunteered with the official auxiliary of the Air Force, the Civil Air Patrol, where he currently serves on the Board of Governors. He previously served as their fourth National Command Chief Master Sergeant.
Dandridge recognized Post 321 Commander Jerry Linthicum and Mayor Oster.
Members of the New Baden American Legion Post 321 ride in the Veterans Day parade in New Baden. The last time Dandridge saw Rolves he presented him with a coin. During this year's Veterans Day ceremony, Dandridge presented Rolves and his helper Donna the newest coin with the fourth Chevron that the U.S. Air Force has approved for Dandridge and his peers to wear.
"Vincent and Donna are a wonderful team," Dandridge said. "We should cherish our own Clinton County national treasure."
Dandridge also presented cadet tech Sargent Jensen with a coin from last year.
"I know that one day Jensen will be a Mitchell Award winner, but today he is here to relax and just take part, but he has been running all over the place, delivering food and carrying this and that and bringing water," Dandridge said. "He has stepped up to answer the call. He is a fine, outstanding young man."
Three veterans taken on virtual Honor Flight
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Local veterans, FROM LEFT, Eugene Loepker, Bob Netemeyer and Maurice Eversgerd received a certificate of appreciation following a virtual Honor Flight on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Standin' Proud Museum in Bartelso. Photo by Matt Wilson Three local veterans were given a virtual Honor Flight on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Standin’ Proud Museum in Bartelso.
Maurice Eversgerd and Eugene Loepker from Germantown and Bob Netemeyer from Albers were all taken on a virtual Honor Flight led by Joan Bortolon and Steve Wheeler from the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight (LLHF). Bortolon is the LLHF executive board president and Wheeler is the LLHF veteran coordinator.
A standing room only crowd of both family members and community members were in attendance to watch the Honor Flight.
Eversgerd is an Army veteran from the Vietnam era. He enlisted Sept. 12, 1963, and went to basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was transferred to Tulle, France, and did various TDYs to the area countries where he built air strips, helicopter pads, bridges and other necessary fields for the Army. Eversgerd was transferred to Germany and with six months left to go on his enlistment, his dad had a heart attack, so he was sent home on a one-month hardship furlough. Had he not gone home at that time, Eversgerd could have been called into the Vietnam War. He finished his term at Fort Leonard Wood before retiring. He was awarded a letter of commendation.
Loepker is a veteran of the Army Reserves. He entered the Army Reserves on April 30, 1960, at Fort Jackson, South Dakota. He was discharged Oct. 17, 1965, at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana.
Netemeyer is an Air Force Reserves veteran. He enlisted in the Air Force in June 1972 and went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He then went to tech school at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. Netemeyer did administrative work for the chief master sergeant at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. He was transferred to Scott Air Force Base in 1974. He remained active duty until May 1976. In 1977, Eversgerd joined the Air Force Reserves until his retirement in April 1995. While in the reserves, he received the Air Force achievement medal, the Air Force foundation medal and a certificate of recognition for the service in the 375th air craft maintenance squadron.
Central makes quarterfinal for third-straight season
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- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
That’s two — Central junior defensive end Bennett Becker tackles Freeburg quarterback Joe Carmack for a safety in the Cougars’ second-round, 42-7 win over the Midgets in Class 4A action. Becker had four tackles and two sacks in the victory. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO For the second time this season, the Central Cougars’ defense shut down the Freeburg Midgets’ rushing attack in a 42-7, IHSA second-round playoff game on Saturday at Robert J. Astroth Field in Breese.
Back in week four of the regular season, the Cougars handed the Midgets their lone regular-season loss of the season with a 49-0 triumph where FCHS had just 28 yards on the ground.
The playoff edition on Saturday saw the Cougars allow just one score late in the fourth quarter. Freeburg had just 39 yards on 31 carries for the day.
Meanwhile, Central sophomore quarterback Owen Kehrer was on his game with a 10-of-13 day for 252 yards and five touchdowns, all coming in the first 24 minutes.
“Our offensive line played great again today,” said Kehrer. “I think I got touched once or twice and the guys made great catches.”
With the victory, the Cougars advance to the quarterfinal for the third season in a row and their fourth in the past five seasons.
What a play — Central senior wide receiver Conlan Haar uses one hand to bring in one of his two touchdown catches in the Cougars’ 42-7, second-round victory over Brady Kerr and Freeburg on Saturday in the Class 4A State playoffs. PHOTO BY CRAIG HUEGEN “I’m really proud of these guys,” said Central head coach Brian Short. “A couple of years ago, it was man, how do we get to the next level. We are not taking this for granted at all, but to get here three years in a row. It’s a testament to the guys on the coaching staff and the hard work that our kids put in each and every week.”
They will now take on a talented Cahokia bunch that sits at 9-2 this season with losses to Lift For Life Academy and Sycamore. They feature powerful running back Donald Collier with 752 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.
Kickoff on Saturday is at 2 p.m.
As for Saturday’s win for the Cougars, the defense set the tone with Freeburg losing four yards on their opening drive which resulted in a three-and-out.
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