Featured guest speaker Colonel Jason B. "Caesar" Wolff speaks during the Enduring Freedom Celebration event at Kaskaskia College. Kaskaskia College honored area veterans during the 10th annual Enduring Freedom Celebration Event on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Jane Knight Auditorium on the college's main campus.
The event started with a free breakfast and was followed by a program starting at 9:45 a.m.
Featured guest speaker was Colonel Jason B. "Caesar" Wolff. He serves as chief of the air transportation division at Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base.
Commissioned through officer training school in 2011, Wolff has held distinguished assignments with the Air Force Logistics Management Agency, Joint Staff, and U.S. Forces Japan. He was deployed in support of numerous major military operations including Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.
Wolff said the country has got to where it is because of the opportunities and obstacles we have overcome. The one thing the United States brings is hope. 
Kaskaskia College Student Outreach Coordinator Carrie Hancock presents the folded flag to Julius "Rookie" Kampwerth. Photos by Matt Wilson "You hope that the United States of America is there to help you," Wolff said. "You hope that we are there to support you. You hope that we are there for justice, and we are."
Wolff said they can't bring that hope without the people in the audience. Veterans Day is for those that served their country and came back. Memorial Day is for those that served their country and gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Many people thank Wolff for his service. He thanks them for their support.
"We can't do this alone, this is a team," Wolff said. "It's called the United States of America, not the individual states of America. I challenge you to look to the left and right and see the veterans here. Each one of them has a unique story."
Julius "Rookie" Kampwerth poses for a picture with family. The diversity that makes the military strong is the same diversity that is at Kaskaskia College and the community. Wolff said the difference are people's strength.
Wolff didn't join the military until he was 30 years old. He had a career as a contractor and a pharmaceutical rep. He got commissioned in May 2001, which was right before 9/11. He came in with the intention to serve four years and be done. But he made the promise that he would continue until he quit having fun.
"Twenty-five years later, I'm still here," Wolff said.
Wolff challenged the audience to make the community better every day, whether that being in service for the country or another area. He told the audience that the next time they see someone in service, to take a moment and pause. Everything they need to know about a veteran is on their uniform.
"I'm not going to tell you we are perfect, but we are going to make it better tomorrow than it was today," Wolff said.
The event began with the presentation of the flags by the Beckemeyer American Legion Post No. 1227 Honor Guard.
The National Anthem was sung by Kaskaskia College students Grace Hummel, Layla Gray, Hannah DeLao, Andolini Gray and Cherokee Ray. KC student ambassador Ella Rolfingsmeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance. KC student-athlete Nathaniel Marlow gave the invocation and benediction.
KC President George Evans welcomed the crowd.
"We have all different walks of life here today, some current students, some individuals who went to Kaskaskia College and are now employed here, and individuals who never went to Kaskaskia College but wore the uniform and are now here to be recognized," Evans said.
Evans said the veterans deserve respect because we are in a free society because of the veterans.
"One of our jobs is to continue to tell the stories of sacrifice of these individuals who were pulled out of their home lives during times of strife and were sent overseas away from their families," Evans said. "They were sent to areas that we will never hear of again on a geography map."
Evans said Kaskaskia College is a small district when it comes to population size, but they are a big district when it comes to taking care of veterans.
"That will never waver, because America is the best country in the world," Evans said.
KC Board Chairman Bill Hawley said it was a great day to honor veterans.
"Without veterans, life would be entirely different," Hawley said. "There would probably not be a Kaskaskia College. We would probably not be celebrating with you here today because we wouldn't be allowed to."
Military service songs were played and veterans stood when their service song was played. Veterans organizations were then recognized.
The Beckemeyer American Legion performed a flag folding ceremony. The folded flag was presented to Beckemeyer American Legion member Julius "Rookie" Kampwerth. He served in the US Army from 1962-1964.
Evans said it is a tradition at Kaskaskia College to give the folded flag to an individual who represents the best intentions and characteristics of the United State of America.
"Julius is a classic example of a true Patriot and a true American," Evans said. "He is an individual who does not seek recognition. He has volunteered his time over and over again."
A Jim Beasley Veterans Tribute update was given. The tribute recognizes the contributions and service of veterans connected to Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Marion and Washington counties. It features five walls on which over 54,000 names of men and women who have served the country from the Revolutionary War to today are engraved in granite.
Following the benediction from Marlow, the event closed with “Taps” played by KC student Jessica Goodwin.
