A rainy morning on Monday, May 25, 2020, by 11:00 a.m. had given way to bright, sunny skies and a warm breeze, stiff enough to unfurl an American flag of grand proportions. Usually Morrison, IL, Memorial Day parades include Community State Bank’s 50′ by 30′ banner displayed laterally, carried by about 20 walkers. This year, the COVID-19, novel corona virus pandemic ravages the entire world. One effective safety measure is to keep away from others. Social distancing measures, to avoid spread of this highly-contagious virus, have mandated cancellation of large group gatherings, such as parades. The American Legion 2020 ceremony to honor veterans included changes, at Grove Hill Cemetery. A group of attendees spread apart and many wore face masks to lessen contacting/spreading the flu-like virus.
David Damhoff had a plan to make this year’s ceremony unique. He contacted A & D Electric, 520 W. Main Street, and Nelson Electric, 101 W. Market Street. Each business sent a boom truck and attached the top corners of this humongous flag to the buckets. Damhoff stated, “We’ll take it down about 7:00 p.m.” When the wind caught it, the Star-Spangled Banner was a sight to behold!
Reverend Father James Brzezinski, of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 401 N. Cherry Street, offered the Invocation. Behind him are Morrison American Legion Post #328 members and, farther back, Carolyn Aiken of Morrison. From left-to-right are James Prombo; hidden beside him, Fred Steele; Dale Usterbowski; Michael Allen; Garry Seaman; Flag Bearer Ronald Wiersema; Larry Zuidema; in back, Aiken; Father Brzezinski; Phil Schroeder; Dennis VanZuiden; Robert Brands; Kenneth Petersen; Jeff Steele; Larry Saling.
Prombo addressed the audience. He referenced the 1918-1919 Spanish flu. [Editor’s note: This deadly pandemic infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide, about a third of the population at that time. The A/H1N1 influenza virus lasted 15 months, from spring 1918 to early summer 1919.]
Traditional aspects of Morrison’s annual service were missing. There was no call to recognize audience veterans. There was no laying of the memorial wreath before the shelter. There was no patriotic music from Morrison High School Band and Chorus students.
However, new this year were two musical components. Post #328 Senior Vice Commander VanZuiden (fifth from the right) stepped forward to sing the National Anthem. He volunteered to perform this tribute and has done so elsewhere. Below, Aiken concluded the Memorial Day ceremony by playing “Taps.” Known in Illinois and Iowa for her service at patriotic events and funerals for military veterans, Aiken is the bugler at Morrison’s Veterans Day ceremonies. She began this service October 25, 1967, 52.5 years ago! Although she performed “Taps” at four funerals last week, May 25, 2020, was the first time she performed “Taps” on Memorial Day in her home town. Traditionally it has been performed by one or two High School buglers.
“Day [was not] done” for a special American Legion member. His colleagues had a presentation to make to Fred Steele, of Lyndon, IL, at the Post headquarters, 306 E. Main Street. Adhering to Governor J. B. Pritzker’s State Order, this was a small gathering of six members and six family members. Steele, age 93, served in the U. S. Army and was a Drill Sergeant. Not surprisingly, he led Memorial and Veterans Day activities in Morrison for many years. Steele was presented a certificate of recognition for his 75 years as a member of The American Legion. Left-to-right are Phil Schroeder, James Prombo, Robert Brands, Kenneth Petersen, Garry Seaman, Larry Zuidema, and Steele.
Son Jeff Steele is hidden behind Zuidema. He served in the Army as a Big Wheel Mechanic. Jeff related that his father “passed up an appointment to West Point, because he wanted to get married.” Fred wed Peggy Stone in Pinckneyville, IL, where both lived, in 1946, said his son.
Son Mark Steele (not photographed) is a member of the Patriot Guard [motorcycle] Riders. He served in the Marines in California and Okinawa in what is now Republic of the Philippines. He spent two years as a Machine Gunner and Controlled small Army Ordinance, both in California and overseas.
Family members included, left-to-right behind Steele, Grace Swanson, Jamie Reyle, Mateo Swanson, and (not photographed) Lindsey Steele.
