Breese and Carlyle honor fallen heroes on Memorial Day - Mike Funneman serves as guest speaker at Breese Legion
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- Written by: Kelly Jo Ross - Breese Journal News Editor
Mike Funneman of Teutopolis served as this year’s guest speaker during the Memorial Day service at Timmermann-Benhoff American Legion Post 252 in Breese Monday morning. "To honor the legacy of the fallen, we should all commit to the freedom offered by the greatest nation on earth. A land where patriotism eclipses politics, where the American Flag is displayed proudly and frequently and where military veterans are society’s true celebrities. We must never forget the families of our fallen."
Mike Funneman of Teutopolis spoke these words during the Memorial Day service at Timmermann-Benhoff American Legion Post 252 in Breese on Monday morning. Funneman served as the guest speaker at this year's Memorial Day program.
Mike Funneman was born and raised in Teutopolis. After high school, he enlisted in the Army National Guard as an indirect fire infantryman. Over a 22-year career, Funneman was deployed to Europe for force protection following Sept. 11, 2001. He joined the American Legion in 2002 and retired in 2006.
Funneman has served two terms as post commander and remains active in the post. At the district level, he has served as junior vice commander, senior vice commander, and commander, and served on three department committees.
Mike and his wife Cindy have been married for 38 years and have three children: Jenna, Aaron and Brandon.
During his speech, Funneman said that we need to be present for the families of the fallen warriors.
"Long after the battlefield guns have been silenced and the bombs stop exploding, the children of our fallen warriors will still be missing a parent. Spouses will be without their life partners. Parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters that died way too early," he said. "We need to be present for them, not just as members of The American Legion Family – but as American citizens. Nobody can replace these fallen heroes — especially in the eyes of their families — but we can offer shoulders to cry on, assistance with educational expenses and assurances that their loved one’s sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Funneman said that there are many ways to honor the fallen.
Breese Legion chaplain Robert Rosen and Arlene Holtgrave with the Breese Auxiliary place a wreath for the deceased.
"While we can still enjoy recreational activities over Memorial Day weekend, we take this moment — this special moment — to remember the price that was paid for us to enjoy our American way of life. Remembering and honoring the legacies of those who didn’t make it back is the true meaning of Memorial Day."
He added that "let us remember that tyrannical regimes have been toppled and genocides stopped because Americans sacrificed life and limb."
"Let us remember that terrorist plots were foiled and killers brought to justice because Americans were willing to pay a high price. Let us remember that without a U.S. military, the world would be a far more oppressive and darker place. Let us remember that freedom has no greater friend than the American soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, Coast Guardsman and Space Force Guardian," he said.
He said that we are here for the men and women who continue to lose their lives during operations in the Middle East.
"From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, Americans from communities throughout the United States, such as Breese, have answered their nation’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "They died, so others may live. It is an ethos shared by so many of America’s fallen heroes."
He said that from those who absorbed the blast of a grenade while saving their friends, to those who died rescuing crew from a sinking ship, we take this day to reflect on ordinary Americans exhibiting extraordinary valor.
"The true way to honor the fallen is to live in a way worthy of their sacrifice. That means strengthening our communities, helping our fellow veterans, supporting military families, and teaching the next generation what this day truly means," he said, adding that we must tell their stories, speak their names, and ensure that our children and grandchildren understand that the freedoms they inherit were paid for with courage, service, and sacrifice.
"Abraham Lincoln said a nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure. He was right. But we should also ask ourselves, would a nation that didn’t honor its heroes be a nation in which we would want to live?" he asked. "Your attendance here answers that question. We are here for them. Thank you, God Bless America, God Bless Our Veterans and God Bless our Gold Star Families."
In addition to Funneman speaking, Timmermann-Benhoff Post honored both their living and deceased members who represented the county during wars and conflicts and have passed away since last year, including four members of the Legion who have recently passed — Thomas Huelskamp, Paul Jansen, Ronald Lager and Anthony "Tony" Timmermann.
The Legion also honored several deceased members of the Auxiliary — Shirley Berns, Audrey Johnson, Judy Pariseau and Bertha Voss.
Legion Commander Josh Bunch acknowledged all of the veterans during the ceremony. Following the ceremony, a lunch was held by the American Legion Auxiliary.
Breese and Carlyle honor fallen heroes on Memorial Day - Colonel Rachele Smith speaks at ceremony in Carlyle
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- Written by: Matt Wilson - Breese Journal Reporter
Retired U.S. Army Colonel Rachele Smith speaks to the crowd during the Memorial Day ceremony in Carlyle. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Rachele Smith told the crowd at Carlyle Cemetery to remember the true reason of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.
Smith was the guest speaker for the Memorial Day services at Carlyle Cemetery.
The ceremony was sponsored by Carlyle VFW Post 3523 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 269.
Smith is from Bartelso and currently lives in New Baden. She graduated as a distinguished military graduate from Eastern Illinois University. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the medical service corps in 1992. Smith traveled the world while serving in the Army, serving throughout the United States and overseas. After over 27 years of service as a medical service corps officer, she retired from the Army as a colonel in 2020. She moved to Florida to work as the director of the Warrior Care Network for the Wounded Warrior project.
Smith later moved back home to be with family and to give back to the communities that had given so much to her during her career. She is a lifetime member of the American Legion and the VFW; is chairman of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Clinton County; and is a board member of Whispering Pines of Clinton County. Smith works part time at Aviston Grade School as a paraprofessional.
She has two legions of merit, two bronze stars and seven meritorious service medals.
Smith said America has stood free for 250 years not by chance or accident, but because generations of veterans answered the call of duty when their country needed them. The men and women stepped forward to protect the very ideals upon which the nation was founded.
Carlyle VFW Post 3523 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 269 performed the salute to the dead. "From the trenches of Europe to the islands of the Pacific, from the frozen terrain of Korea to the jungles of Vietnam and through the long and complex conflicts of the 21st century, brave Americans have answered the call," Smith said. "They came from our towns, they were our neighbors, classmates, parents, sons and daughters. They did not fight for fame, nor did they fight for glory. They fought for the person standing next to them and for us."
They fought for the enduring promise of this country. The belief that liberty, justice and freedom are worth defending no matter the cost.
"I'm in awe of the selfless service that our veterans and their families gave and continue to give today," Smith said. "When a service member makes the ultimate sacrifice, the impact is not confined to the battlefield, the ripple effect is felt deeply at home ... in the empty chairs at the dinner tables and the quiet spaces in our communities and our families."
The Gold Star family members are held close in our hearts because their sacrifice is woven into the fabric of our nation's freedoms. The veterans of previous wars showed future generations what selfless service to the country truly means.
"For many Americans, Memorial Day marks the start of summer, a long weekend with family and friends, barbecues and gathering at the house," Smith said. "For those who served in the military and the families who lost a loved one, Memorial Day holds a great significance. It remembers and honors those brave men and women who lost their lives defending this country and our freedoms."
There can be no finer calling than to serve our country. Smith has seen and personally experienced the loss of soldiers and the sacrifice of families. The loss is especially difficult.
Haag with a big triple in Eagles’ win
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- Written by: Jeremy Chawgo - Breese Journal Sports Editor
Out at third — Trenton outfielder Jonathan Barnes slides into the tag of Beckemeyer’s Cam Haag in the third inning of the Miners’ 10-9 loss to the Eagles on Sunday at the BCDC Park. Barnes walked earlier in the inning in a result that saw both teams move to 1-1 on the season. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO The Beckemeyer Eagles halted a 10-game losing streak, dating back to last summer, after they took a 10-9 decision over visiting Trenton on Sunday at the BCDC Park.
The Eagles moved to 1-1 on the season while Trenton fell to 1-1 on the season. The Miners will play two games in Aviston this Sunday while Beckemeyer will host Bartelso for two games. Both doubleheaders start at noon.
As for the Eagles win on Sunday, Trenton took charge early on with a single tally in the second inning and two more in the third inning.
Phil Berberich led off the second inning with a leadoff single before moving to second on an error and to third on a grounder. He made it 1-0 when Berberich scored on a sacrifice fly from Mason Barnes.
Trenton made it 3-0 one inning later when Logan Doll singled and JD Barnes drew a walk from Beckemeyer starter Gerry Haake. 
That’s a win — Beckemeyer veteran pitcher Gerry Haake and the Eagles grabbed their first win of the season with a 10-9 triumph over visiting Trenton on Sunday. Haake went the first seven innings and earned the victory. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGOPayten Mugele followed with an RBI single up the middle before Reid Hendrickson singled to left for a three-run cushion.
The Eagles busted out for five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead for good.
Xavier Deatherage and Wade Sabo were each hit by a pitch while Xavier Koch reached on a walk to load the bases.
Gabe Schlimme singled in the first run of the game for the Eagles while Ian Justice chased two home with a single to right for a 3-3 game. Colton Oelze followed with a single back up the middle for a 4-3 lead before a bases loaded walk made it 5-3 entering the fifth inning.
Beckemeyer went back to work on offense in the sixth inning when Justice walked and Oelze singled up the middle. Justice scored on a wild pitch before Cam Haag tripled in a pair of runners for an 8-3 lead. Haag scored on a grounder from Brock Timmermann for a 9-3 lead.
Trenton got within 9-6 in the eighth inning despite not having a hit. The Miners got three walks and a hit batter as they got within three tallies.
Beckemeyer got an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth to lead 10-6 in a game where they would need all 10 scores as the Miners came back in their final at bat.
Drew Frey was hit by a pitch before Mugele walked. Hendrickson singled in Frey to get within 10-7. Berberich was hit by a pitch before Drew Rakers walked and made it 10-8. After a fielder’s choice made it 10-9, Troy Schroeder got Doll to fly out to right field to end the contest.
Trenton got two singles from Doll and Hendrickson who also had two RBI. Doll also had two walks. Trenton out hit the Eagles 7-6, but committed four fielding errors.
Conner Riggs took the loss as he went five innings and allowed seven earned runs on four hits, five walks and seven punch outs.
Schlimme had two singles, a run scored and one batted in while Justice was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a run scored and a walk. Oelze added two singles and a run scored. Haag had three RBI.
Haake was the winning pitcher as he went the first seven innings and allowed two earned runs on six hits, two walks and four strikeouts.
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