Many attend Whispering Pines of Clinton County Memorial Day service
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Mike and Marge Detmer were the guest speakers for the Memorial Day service at Whispering Pines of Clinton County. Photos by Matt Wilson Community members gathered at the new lodge on the Whispering Pines of Clinton County (WPofCC) grounds for the fourth annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25.
Greg Riechman was the master of ceremonies. He was the commander of the Aviston Sons of the American Legion for four years and currently is a Clinton County Board member and a precinct committee member. Riechman is on the Clinton County CEO board of directors. He is an active volunteer at Whispering Pines and a lead liaison on the board for capital improvements; a member of the Jim Beasley Tribute committee at Kaskaskia College; on the Honor Flight sendoff committee; and on the Wreaths Across America committee. He is an active honorary member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 269.
Riechman said sacrifice, courage and duty are the words that need to be remembered on Memorial Day, not barbecue or unofficial start to summer. Memorial Day is set aside to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives to service and sacrifice for the country. It is a solemn reminder of sacrifice, courage and duty. Those who have been lost did not seek recognition or reward; they answered the call to protect the freedom that we too often take for granted. Their sacrifice reminds us that liberty and freedom come at a high cost.
“We should challenge ourselves every single day to live in a way that honors their legacy,” Riechman said. “With gratitude, unity, and a commitment to the values they protected. We have to promise that they will never, ever be forgotten.”
Mike and Marge Detmer were the guest speakers for the event. Mike is a Vietnam War veteran and a member of Vietnam Veterans America Chapter 269, Breese American Legion Post 252 and Highland VFW Post 5694. He serves as the president of the Bravo Regulars, a nationwide organization of Vietnam veterans who served in the B company, 3rd of the 22nd Infantry Division. Mike and Marge live in St. Rose and have four children, 15 grandchildren, and are expecting their fifth great-grandchild this summer.
The Venturing Crew carries in the American flag during Memorial Day services at Whispering Pines of Clinton County.
Mike Detmer was drafted Dec. 27, 1965, along with 30 other men from Clinton County. They boarded the train in Carlyle and went to the induction center in St. Louis. From there, they were dispatched to different locations. Eleven people from Clinton County ended up in Port Lewis, Washington, attached to B Company, 3rd of the 22nd Infantry Division. While the company was deployed to Vietnam in December 1966, two of the Clinton County comrades paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Vietnam — Norman Toennies of Damiansville and Marvin Eversgerd of Germantown. While they left as a unit, they came back home a year later one by one. No one knew when others were coming home and there was no time for good-byes.
One of Detmer’s Army buddies from Wisconsin pledged to hold a reunion of the group in 20 years, and in the summer of 1987, they met for a reunion in Michigan. They decided to have another reunion in five years. Eventually, they were having a reunion every two years. The reunions were important in receiving information about other Bravo members, including whether or not they made it home.
There is a memorial service at the reunions to honor the men who have been lost. Detmer recited an essay, “The Perimeter,” that was read at one of the memorial services. Detmer said on Memorial Day we need to remember those men and women who gave their lives for our country. He asked everyone to keep them in their thoughts and prayers.
Marge and Mike dated for six months, during which Mike got his draft notice saying he would be leaving on Dec. 27, 1965. They kept in contact for all two years of deployment. They wrote letters to each other daily. With no internet, cell phones or texting, Mike and Marge were lucky to speak on the phone one time a month. Mike would wait outside in a line to use the pay phone. Marge stayed home on Sunday afternoons so she wouldn’t miss the call. When the call came, they had to hurry up and talk because many were waiting in line for their turn to use the phone.
Open house this Sunday, May 31 - New municipal building opens in New Baden
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
The Village of New Baden Village Hall and Public Safety Building will host an open house to the public this Sunday, May 31, from noon to 2 p.m., and an official ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony Monday, June 1, at 6 p.m. The new municipal building is located at 1214 E. Cedar Street in New Baden.The Village of New Baden is preparing to celebrate a major milestone with the grand opening of its new Municipal Building at 1214 E. Cedar Street, right off State Route 160 in New Baden.
The new facility will serve as the home of the New Baden Village Hall, the New Baden Police Department, and the Lookingglass Emergency Services District, bringing several key public services together under one roof to better serve residents and the surrounding community.
Village officials say the project reflects the community’s continued commitment to growth, modernization and public service. The building is designed to provide improved accessibility, updated workspaces for staff and emergency personnel, and a welcoming environment for residents conducting village business.
Community members are invited to attend two special events marking the opening of the facility.
An open house will take place this Sunday, May 31, from noon to 2 p.m. Residents will have the opportunity to tour the building, meet local officials and department personnel, and learn more about the services offered within the new facility.
An official ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony is scheduled for Monday, June 1, at 6 p.m., prior to the first village board meeting at 7 p.m. at the new village hall.
Village leaders, community partners and residents will gather to commemorate the opening and celebrate what officials describe as “an exciting new chapter” for New Baden.
Village representatives say the new building represents more than just a new location for municipal services — it is an investment in the future of the community, hence, the slogan — “Building for today. Investing in tomorrow. Proud to serve our community.”
Officials broke ground in early June 2025 for the new building, where New Baden village officials, employees and board members attended the groundbreaking, as well as officials from Holland Construction Services and FGM Architects.
New Baden Village President Bob Oster said, at the time, that he was "very proud," and wanted the people to know that the village is invested in this community and hopes others come and invest in this community.
The approximate size of the new structure is 16,500 square feet and includes an office for village staff, EMS quarters and officers, including an apparatus bay, and police facilities, including a sally port.
Tree planted in memory of Haar at Central High School
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Dad Colby, mom Sara and brother Max pose for a picture in front of a tree dedicated to Macy Haar, a member of the Central High School Class of 2026 who passed away in 2025. A redpointe maple tree dedicated to a member of the Central High School class of 2026 has been planted at the high school.
There was a ceremony to honor Macy Haar on Thursday, May 21. Haar was a member of the Class of 2026 who passed away from a vehicle accident on May 9, 2025.
Crystalyn Huegen came up with the idea to plant the tree for Haar. The ceremony was in the morning following graduation practice. Students graduated that evening.
Shannon Kluemke from the Jared Burke Foundation spoke during the ceremony.
Haar was a big helper with the Jared Burke Foundation and Kluemke knew her since she was little. She encouraged the students to come out and visit the tree whenever they wanted.
"We are gathering with deep love and heavy hearts to dedicate this tree in memory of Macy," Kluemke said.
Haar was a light in the lives of everyone who knew her. She was deeply loved by her family, treasured by her friends, and admired by her classmates.
"She was more than a student, she was a remarkable young woman whose kindness, spirit and presence left a lasting mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her," Kluemke said.
Haar was a dedicated member of the Jared Burke Foundation who gave her time, heart and energy to making a difference. 
Her love, laughter and compassion will never be forgotten.
"As we dedicate this tree, we create a lasting tribute to Macy's beautiful life," Kluemke said. "Like this tree, her memory will continue to grow, rooted in love, strengthened by remembrance and reaching forward through all of those she inspired."
Kluemke said the tree's branches will remind everyone of Haar's strength, the leaves will whisper the joy she brought, and its presence will symbolize the love that surrounds her still today.
"Though our lovely Macy is gone from our sight, she will never be gone from our heart," Kluemke said. "She will always be our light. Forever loved, forever missed, forever Macy. Her spirt will live on in every leaf, every breath and every heart that you touched."
Central superintendent Dustin Foutch said the entire Central community wraps their heart around the Haar family.
Foutch told the seniors during a presentation on Thursday morning that when someone passes on, the impact they make on others is the gift they leave in the world and it continues to travel for generations.
"Macy made a huge impact on a lot of us and this group will continue to carry on her legacy forever through kindness, love, support, and the way they treat each other," Foutch said.
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