Whispering Pines hosts Veterans Appreciation Day

Angie Zahn speaks during Veterans Appreciation Day on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Whispering Pines of Clinton County.    Whispering Pines of Clinton County (WPofCC) honored all veterans and their families with a Veterans Appreciation Day ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 4.
    Angie Zahn and Greg Riechman were the keynote speakers.
    Zahn talked about the book "The Van of Valor," which is a nationwide mobile memorial project created by Dr. Kevin Wallace and Lauren Wallace to record and preserve stories of sacrifice from Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families across the United States. The Wallaces are taking the next step in preserving the stories and are creating longer versions of those stories that will help bring the people and their experiences more fully to light.
    "They didn't simply collect these stories and put them on a shelf," Zahn said. "They are making sure these stories live on."
    Zahn encouraged all veterans to tell their stories. She said veterans are sometimes scared to tell their stories because it takes them back to a place that they don't want to revisit. And the Vietnam veterans came back to a country that wasn't always ready or willing to listen.
Greg Riechman addresses the crowd during the Veterans Appreciation Day ceremony at Whispering Pines of Clinton County.    "Telling stories is a cure, but it is something that anyone shouldn't be forced to do," Zahn said. "But sometimes being heard can be very important. That is why projects like 'Van of Valor' matter. They don't just preserve history, they preserve people. They remind us that history isn't simply a date in a textbook."
    About 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam. Fewer than an estimated 850,000 are still alive. Zahn said every time we lose one of those veterans without hearing their story, we lost a witness to history.
    "I want all of the veterans to tell their stories when they are ready," Zahn said. "They don't all have to be about combat. Talk about the friends you made. Tell us about what made you laugh. Tell us about the worst food you ever ate."
    Zahn told the families to listen. They don't have to have the perfect response and sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone who shared a story they have been carrying for decades is to simply say "thank you for trusting me with that."
    Riechman said the day was about honoring the veterans who stood watch when our nation needed them, sacrificed time and family, endured hardships and accepted risks so that our freedoms remain secure.
Veterans and their families stand to receive gifts during Veterans Appreciation Day at Whispering Pines of Clinton County. Photos by Matt Wilson    Riechman also recognized the veterans' families.
    "Behind every veteran is an extensive support system of spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends," Riechman said. "We thank all of them for their unwavering love and support."
    Riechman said everyone should listen to veterans' stories, learn from their experiences and ensure they know that their service mattered. All veterans and their family members stood and were given an ovation.
    "I ask you to always not only remember the service, but remember the families that are behind that," Riechman said.
    Following lunch, the veterans listened to music by Orzo Miller and took tours of the WPofCC property.
    There are other upcoming events at Whispering Pines.
    The Hunters' Prayer service is on Sunday, Oct. 11, starting at noon. The Disabled American Veterans women's retreat is Oct. 9-11. There will be a craft and vendor fair on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They have 30 vendors signed up for the event. The annual raffle will be on Nov. 11 following the Veterans Day parade in Breese. 
    The Enduring Freedom event at Kaskaskia College is on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The event starts with a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and that will be followed by a program
    There will be a virtual honor flight on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 2 p.m. at Standin' Proud Museum in Bartelso.