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.
"Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and solemn reference," Smith said. "A day for us to honor military men and women who gave their lives in defense of our nation, it's values, and our freedoms that we hold dear. It's a day that all Americans should take a moment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country."
Carlyle Scouts raise the flag during the Memorial Day ceremony in Carlyle. Photo by Matt WilsonSmith asked how we truly honor veterans. They are honored with words today and actions for all the tomorrows that they did not get but gave to us. We honor them by being citizens worth dying for. We honor them by taking care of their families and those veterans who did come home, ensuring they have the support and the dignity they earned. They are honored by standing for the freedoms they defended because freedom is never truly free, it is an inheritance that is passed from one generation to another, paid in advance by the courage of the fallen.
Memorial Day is a day for grief and celebration, grieving and reflecting on the tragic loss of life and celebrating their service by remembering their courage and sharing their stories to honor them and their service. It is for that ultimate sacrifice and selfless service that deep remorse, grief, respect and gratitude is expressed.
"It is our duty that their stories and experiences are not lost over time," Smith said. "By sharing these stories, our memories of them, and the impact they had on us and others, we honor them and give others just a glimpse of military service that aims to inspire all of us to create a better world, a stronger nation, and kinder communities."
Smith encouraged everyone to carry a piece of this solemn day with them in their hearts and strive to honor their memory on behalf of a grateful nation. We should live our lives with gratitude, purpose, and with a renewed commitment to a country that they loved so much.
"May God bless the fallen heroes, may he comfort their families, may he continue to bless the United States of America," Smith said.
Mamie Newman from Carlyle VFW Post 3523 and Marge Detmer from Vietnam Veterans Chapter 269 placed the wreaths. Carlyle VFW Post 3523 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 269 performed the salute to the dead.
Mike Wilton played "Taps" and the echo was played by Ian Diamond.
John Barrett was the master of ceremonies.
The Carlyle Cub Pack 281, Carlyle Boy Scout Troop 281, Carlyle Girl Scout Troop 221 and Venturing Crew 8269 raised the flag. Cub Scout Pack 281 helped place the flags on the cemetery graves.
Carlyle High School band student Rachel McDuffey played the "National Anthem" on the saxophone.
Carlyle High School band student Rachel McDuffey played the "National Anthem" on the saxophone.
Pastor Jason McIntosh from Life Church Carlyle gave the invocation and benediction.
The Carlyle High School band, under the direction of Madison Sanker, played a musical tribute.
McIntosh said everyone is blessed on the beautiful day to stand and honor the brave men and women who have fallen for our country. He was inspired by Smith's speech. He read an exert from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
"As we leave this place, may we carry with us the memory of those who have given everything for our nation and may their sacrifice inspire us to live with courage, integrity and gratitude," McIntosh said. "May we never forget the freedoms we enjoy we secured by the devotion and sacrifice of so many that have gone on before us. May we have a renewed appreciation for those who served and gave their all for us."
Barrett thanked everyone for attending.
"I know you have a lot of things going on Memorial Day weekend, thank you for pausing, remembering, reflecting, and showing that you are grateful," Barrett said.
