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."
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day in 1918. This year is the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The United States Marine Corps veterans in attendance stood up to be recognized.
Veterans from each branch of service were then recognized.
Dandridge said everyone's hearts and minds should be with the brave men and women who are deployed all around the world.
"Whether they are engaged in actual combat or in supporting roles, the warrior spirit binds all of us together in this one common purpose," Dandridge said. "Let that spirit continue to be found in each of us."
Dandridge has a son in the Air Force that is currently stationed in Turkey.
"In our nation, we put our footprint in different soils all around the globe, we do amazing things so that people know what a touch of freedom is like," Dandridge said. "I want to make sure that we don't forget the veteran who is truly away."
Dandridge said the welcome home for Vietnam veterans wasn't the best, but he hopes they know they are loved for what they did.
Dandridge took the veterans back to when they were in basic training. He said that was a time when many thought they made a mistake, but they all got through it. Some got hurt or injured and that alone was service enough. They all had different jobs they executed with greatness. They took people that were young and trying to find themselves and turned them into leaders.
He went back to 9/11 when he was in North Dakota. They had a group of young non-commissioned officers from two Air Force bases and they were attending the non-commissioned officers academy in Mississippi. They were going to fly a large group of their supporters for their graduation. Dandridge took a little jog around the base. He got back to the lodging building and saw the TV in the hallway of the lobby and saw the first aircraft hit the tower. He saw people glued to the television to what was happening.
"I was thinking, 'What kind of movie are they watching?’" Dandridge said. "Someone looked at me and said 'We are being attacked.'”
Dandridge realized they were not going to be able to take aircrafts anywhere. He called the base and said he would need to charter buses to return two bases back. Within four hours, the FAA put all flights on the ground. The buses that came were brand new and they returned their members back to their bases.
"The world changed over night," Dandridge said. "It was like turning the light off and then turning the light on. That is when you know that the job these people signed up for isn't just fun."
Dandridge said when someone hears words like courage, commitment, honor, integrity, discipline and perseverance, those are the virtues that are demonstrated by the United States Armed Forces.
"It doesn't matter what branch you are in, this is what each of us learn," Dandridge said. "We specialize in what we need."
Dandridge said we know the veterans are there for each other and that communities are in great hands.
"We are profoundly proud of all veterans," Dandridge said. “We thank all the veterans because without them, we wouldn't have what we have."
Dandridge walks through New Baden and is regularly stopped by fellow veterans.
"I live in a great community where people make me feel so comfortable," Dandridge said.
Clinton County Board member Greg Riechman talked to the crowd about Honor Flight. There have been 150 Clinton County veterans who have went on Honor Flights. With next year being the 250th anniversary of America, they have set a goal of sending 250 Clinton County veterans on Honor Flights.
"We are trying to get the word out and getting as many folks on Honor Flights as possible," Riechman said.
Those who want to go on an Honor Flight should contact Riechman or Carl Huels at the Standin' Proud Museum in Bartelso.
Riechman said they are trying to add more names on the Jim Beasley tribute wall at Kaskaskia College. He also encouraged everyone to attend or get involved with a Wreaths Across America ceremony on Dec. 13 and also encouraged veterans to utilize Whispering Pines of Clinton County. Towns having Wreaths Across America ceremonies are Bartelso, Beaver Prairie, Beckemeyer, Carlyle, Germantown and Hoffman.
Ted Koester gave the final blessing.
The ceremony was followed by a parade down State Route 161 to the New Baden Park entrance.
Entertainment at the New Baden American Legion, including music by The Backstreet Cruisers, and a raffle, followed the parade.
