Monday highlights the true meaning of Memorial Day at Woodland Cemetery.

Teaching, learning, and comprehending the actual meaning of Memorial Day was the message delivered on Monday at the annual Van Wert American Legion Post 178 Memorial Day service held at Woodland Cemetery.

Stephanie Reiner, a teacher and Lincolnview’s Veterans Day program coordinator, gave the keynote address. She spoke to a packed ceremony on a chilly, windy, and overcast morning with a message that was truly inspiring.

Many people, according to her, view Memorial Day as merely another day off from work. Do our kids truly understand the significance of today? Do they know how much it hurts to lose a loved one who devoted their life to helping others? Because of this, it is imperative that our children and the community understand the significance of Memorial Day: it is a time to unite, commemorate, and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives defending people they will never meet.

She went on We honor the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their life for our nation on Memorial Day. We pay tribute to their bravery, selflessness, and commitment to service. What purpose did our veterans serve if we forget about them?

It is imperative that we educate the next generation about the true meaning of being a veteran and the sacrifices they made in leaving behind their jobs, families, and friends in order to serve our nation. They perform this service without expecting anything in return.

In order to ensure that future generations never forget what veterans accomplished to create the United States the greatest nation in the world, she also underlined the significance of asking them about their experiences.

Reiner spoke about her grandfather, Vernon C. Kile, who served in the American Army during World War II, her great-grandfather, Lawrence Gehres, who served in the American Navy during that conflict, and Richard Gehres, a veteran of that war. She added that although Kile died long before she got to meet him, he was a man who would sacrifice anything for the people he loved.

Reiner stated Even though he did not pass away on the battlefield, wounds he received during World War II eventually took his life.My grandfather made a lot of sacrifices while serving in World War II, from reading his letters at home to conversing with family members.

He received multiple decorations and commendations, including two Purple Hearts, in recognition of his sacrifices.

She talked about how Kile fought to save as many of his comrades as he could, was wounded by a Nazi tank on a bridge, barely made it out of there, and then chose to go back to the front lines only to get hurt again.

Reiner revealed that one of the most significant men in her life passed away on Memorial Day 2011, the day of her other grandfather’s passing.

Reiner remarked He was really unique and taught me a lot of things like how much I love this country and how important it is to remember our veterans. He was so dear to me that on the day when you were supposed to bring something that meant the most to you in elementary school, I actually brought him for show and tell.

She continued by saying that those who knew him well referred to him as “Grandpa Chubby” and that he used to accompany their family to ceremonies, parades, and other events honoring veterans, setting an example for how they ought to be treated. She also talked about the poignant occurrences of Gehres’ death day, May 30, 2011. Despite being prepared for the Memorial Day program, he called to report feeling unwell.

After a squad was dispatched, he was brought to the hospital. They informed us he had had a terrible heart attack, and they were shocked he lived,” Reiner remarked. Lutheran LifeFlight was contacted due to the severity of the damage and to expedite his transfer to the Fort Wayne hospital. Upon hearing that a World War II veteran was among the most notable passengers, Grandpa, who had always enjoyed flying, thought the journey was fantastic.

‘Don’t forget to put my flag out before heading to Lutheran,’ my grandfather urged to my mother as we were leaving the hospital to head to Lutheran.

We were worried that the flag wasn’t flying, but we had no idea that he would suffer another heart attack in the next minutes. My grandfather was being treated by the LifeFlight nurse nonstop during the journey, and he subsequently told us that on Memorial Day, he wanted to save this World War II soldier.

Memorial Day is incredibly significant, and it is our responsibility to make sure that it is preserved for future generations, she stated.

In his introductory remarks, American Legion Post 178 Commander Ken Myers stated that while veterans look forward to three days, they are also troubled by them: Armed Forces Day, which falls on the third Saturday in May, Veterans Day, which falls on November 11, and Memorial Day, which falls on the last Monday in May.

Myers stated We honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom on this Memorial Day. Although most people will celebrate with a cookout or other get-together, please dedicate a moment to remembering those who are no longer with us to celebrate this day.

Along with patriotic music by the Paul Hoverman Group, the event on Monday featured a 21-gun salute, taps, a wreath-laying by Carter Reiner and his father Reiner, an invocation and blessing by Dick Elder, and the firing of cannons in remembrance of Civil War heroes who lost their lives in combat.

Everyone was invited to a free lunch at Post 178 following the ceremony.

Other ceremonies were held around the vicinity, such as Ohio City Convoy Willshire and Wren, in addition to the celebration in Van Wert.