Duncan encourages Chamois students to embrace values veterans have displayed

By Neal A. Johnson, UD Editor
Posted 11/18/21

American Legion Post 506 Commander Steve Duncan, a 1969 graduate of Chamois High School and a 1973 graduate of Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri), told Chamois …

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Duncan encourages Chamois students to embrace values veterans have displayed

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American Legion Post 506 Commander Steve Duncan, a 1969 graduate of Chamois High School and a 1973 graduate of Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri), told Chamois students at Thursday’s Veterans Day assembly that he hoped to arouse in every student the same values and ideals that veterans have embodied every time they have preserved our freedom. 

Duncan received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army through the ROTC program during the Vietnam War. Because of the bravery of so many who went before him, the war was winding down in late 1972/early 1973, so Duncan was offered the opportunity to serve three months active duty for training at officer basic school (Finance), and then he spent eight years in the inactive US Army Reserves.

His main goal on Thursday was to provide those gathered with some historical background so that everyone but primarily students, will understand and appreciate Veterans Day, this day of remembrance, and this day we honor those who have defended our great nation.  

In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Duncan explained that this site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, D.C., became the focal point of reference for America’s veterans. Similar ceremonies had occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor. These memorial gestures all took place on Nov. 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. 

The day became known as “Armistice Day,” which officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later in 1938 by similar Congressional action. 

In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. On Memorial Day in 1958, two more unidentified American war dead were brought from overseas and interred in the plaza beside the unknown soldier of World War I. One of these brave Americans had been killed in World War II and the other in the Korean War.

In 1973, a law was passed providing for the interment of an unknown American from the Vietnam War, but none were found for several years. In 1984, an unknown serviceman from that conflict was placed alongside his fellow unknown soldiers. To honor these men, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in war, an Army honor guard, the 3rd US Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps vigil day and night.

The focal point for official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day continues to be the memorial amphitheater built around the Tomb of the Unknowns.  At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes “Present Arms” at the tomb. The nation’s tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath, and a bugler then plays “Taps.”

“America is the country of freedom,” said Duncan. “We were the first country to declare that government exists to serve men; men do not exist to serve the government. We were the first to proclaim that all men are equal before the law. We were the first to say that each individual has inalienable rights — the right to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.”

These values and ideals have been handed down to all of us through the examples of so many great men. Duncan’s grandfather, Ralph D. Stonner, served in an Army field hospital in France during World War I. His father, Russell Duncan, graduated a few months early from Chamois High School and served in both the Merchant Marines and the Army during World War II. His uncle, Jack Stonner, was a Marine captain and served in the Pacific during World War II.   

“Many of the men who were my role models as I grew up in Chamois in the 1950s and 1960s were military veterans,” said Duncan. “These brave men who exemplified all the virtues most of us admire.

Duncan noted that Vernon Kormann, Reuben Kormann, Howard Steffen, Delmar Wehmeyer, Marvin “Shorty” Witthaus, Clarence Gilbert, Arch Mitchem, Rex White, Speed Garstang, Weldon “Bud” Frey, Bernard Carel, Clarence Townley, Howard Hensley, Earl Vahrenberg, Emil Vahrenberg, Frank Wuelling, Etz Trachsel, Reuben Kuschel, Paul Linhardt, Clete Shockley, and so many others, answered the call to serve their country.

Veterans have long been pillars of the Chamois community. Duncan noted that the Chamois R-1 facilities include the elementary school building constructed in 1959 and the gymnasium, built in 1969. In both buildings, there is a plaque on the wall that identifies the men who were on the school board at the time decisions were made to build those buildings: Jack Stonner, Bob Sundermeyer, Vernon Wehmeyer, and George Glick. “These men were all military veterans and pillars of our community,” said Duncan.

Four of Duncan’s classmates who also served their country were Dan Suess and Vernon McKague, who sadly are both deceased, who served in the US Navy,   George Siefert Jr., who served in the Air Force, and Gordon Holzem, who served in the Marines.

“I mention all these names because these men, and we have female veterans too (our own mayor of Chamois, Elise Brochu is a veteran), deserve to be remembered for their contributions to our freedom,” said Duncan. “To remember these heroes is your responsibility. I am sure each of you students can name sports stars, movie stars, and other celebrities who you admire and look up to. These brave military veterans are the real heroes and the persons who you should more admire and better remember.”

Duncan suggested students especially remember and honor veterans. “I ask that everyone present today, and especially you students who are our country’s future, commit to do three things,” said Duncan. “First, I ask that you greet military veterans and current military members who are in uniform and tell them thank-you for their service. Secondly, I suggest that you politely ask them about their experiences in the military. Some veterans and current military personnel may not feel comfortable talking about their experiences as many military experiences are not pleasant. That is perfectly understandable.”

However, if a veteran wants to tell some stories, Duncan asked students to listen and learn. “The experiences that veterans and current military personnel share are historical in nature and there is much to be learned just by listening,” he continued. “Finally, and I sincerely hope that you take this request to heart, I encourage you to attend local Memorial Day services held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.”

An American Legion Memorial Day service is held at the Deer Creek Cemetery at noon and there is a similar service held at the Chamois City Cemetery at 6 p.m.  

Did you know that there are more than 400 veterans buried at the cemeteries in Chamois, Morrison, Gasconade, Deer Creek, and St. Aubert?  

On Memorial Day weekend, these graves will have a small American flag proudly displayed. At the two American Legion Memorial Day Services, the name of every veteran buried in these local cemeteries is read aloud. 

“These veterans gave their time and talents and in some cases their life to protect all of us and to ensure we have the freedom and the security to live happy and productive lives,” said Duncan. “They should not be forgotten. I ask you to attend these services and pay homage to these brave individuals.”

At the conclusion of each American Legion Memorial Day Service, Taps is played and that is the final honor bestowed upon a veteran who has passed away. CHS student Waylon Carter is the bugler who has played Taps the last few years.

As part of the assembly, CHS Student Council Secretary Abigail Keilholz read the poem, “In Flanders Field,” written by John McRae.

Students in grades K-4 also performed “God Bless the USA,” by Lee Greenwood, and “How Do You Tell a Veteran Thank You?” By Karl Hitzemann.

CHS band members played several patriotic songs under the direction of Beth Sieg.

Keilholz also read “They Did Their Share,” penned by Joanna Fuchs, and Taps was played by Waylon Carter and Ethan Halbert to conclude the service.