Where are the new members who will keep Post 9 great? We raised flags at many sporting events, we marched in numerous parades of varied historical and military remembrances always holding Old Glory high, and we stood tall in reverence at visitations for those who moved on with honor. Have some gotten too old or do they just not care? Where are these new vets? Do they care or are they too busy to think about the future? All Vets can make a difference. Burial ceremonies are number one and we need you in the Am Vets, VFW, and American Legion. If you are a veteran of any branch, you are a member of the group. Join in and don’t be bashful. 

“I want an Honor Guard at my burial, shouldn’t you?” Those are the words of former US Air Force Sergeant John Girsch, a member of American Legion Post 9 here in Chillicothe, IL. Born August 19, 1946 to Oscar and Tess Girsch in Peoria, he attended Spalding High and Bradley. John enlisted in 1969 and served four years at bases in Italy and Thailand. He was in Radio Intercept which was vital to the air war in Vietnam.

In his sophomore year at Chillicothe High, Rich Gillespie opted to join The US Navy where he acquired His GED and the skills needed as a Sea Bee in the Construction Battalion attachment. He received Gorilla Warfare training at Camp Pendleton and spent two and a half years in Vietnam. Former Seaman 1st Class Gillespie says we must support our Honor Guards. 

From American Legion Post 9, former Sergeant Ray Childers US Army, attained a very productive and illuminating 27-year career in the Military Police/Security and Law enforcement which began in 1978. Born in February 1960 and lived in Hoopeston, IL, he was at Lawton AFB in Fort Sill Oklahoma, Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, and Muenster Dieburge Germany. He relays the commands to The Honor Guard.

The present-day commander of the VFW 4999 in Chillicothe is Cliff Lee, former Spec 4 Corporal US Army. He was born March 1, 1947 in Ames, Iowa. He was drafted in 1969 with Boot Camp at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He had advanced infantry training and was a clerk with a reactionary force unit. Cliff received The Bronze Star for performing hazardous special duties in hostile areas routinely. Cliff would like to see one new member added each month to our Honor Guard.

On February 27, 1970, past Commander of American Legion Post 9 and former E-4 Corporal United States Marine Corp Reserve, Dean Braun was born in Peoria, IL. He spent boot camp at MCRD San Diego, California and specialty training at Camp Lejeune, NC. He enlisted in 1989 to 1992. He was at Desert Storm and Desert Shield as a Combat Engineer dealing with explosives, land mines, and construction. His words are, “We must pay respect to those who came before us.”

Charlie Will was born on June 26, 1946 in Bradford, Illinois. In 1965 he was drafted into The United States Army with Boot Camp at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He later was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He did a tour of duty in Vietnam in the 586th Combat Engineers and attained the rank of E-5 Sergeant. Former E-5 Will says, “We must always show respect and support to those who served. Freedom is not free.” 

Those words are engraved on the wall at the Veterans Triangle memorial in the heart of Chillicothe on Santa Fe Avenue and many former Honor Guard members from the past are recognized daily where their names are displayed in reverence for public viewing. Although each Veteran has served their country in a myriad of ways, they all made the same commitment made by our forefathers 248 years ago. Too soon the remaining population of veterans from The Greatest Generation will be no more and possibly one of the best examples of duty to the country might fade. But if veteran generations of today and to come will replenish the dwindling companies at the VFW, American Legions, and Am Vets services, our Honor Guards will prevail. Veterans groups and The Honor Guard are essential to all communities for many reasons, not to mention the abundance of Hometown Heroes they afford us.

If you are a young veteran looking for a place where you can make a difference, consider joining a veterans group—it may be a place where you truly feel appreciated. 

There have been and always will be Hometown Heroes of different walks, occupations, and stature and now these six additional American military Veterans join those ranks. Gentlemen, with our deepest gratitude and respect, thank you for your service.