Dieterich students honor local veterans in annual celebration

Nov. 9—Dieterich Unit 30 Schools held its annual Veterans Day celebration Thursday at the Dieterich Community Veterans Memorial in Liberty Park.

The event attracted a large crowd of residents who stopped to show their support for local veterans.

This year, the Dieterich Schools Veterans Day Celebration honored Larry Hardiek, a local veteran, and included the unveiling of a chair by members of a local chapter of Rolling Thunder that memorializes prisoners of war and the U.S. servicemen and women missing in action.

According to Dieterich FFA President Emma Beckman, the co-emcee for the event, Hardiek enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 after graduating from Dieterich High School, and he left for basic training at Fort Ord, California on his eighteenth birthday.

"After basic training, he was sent to Fort Eustis, Virginia for training as a helicopter mechanic, working on CH47 Chinook helicopters," Beckman said.

Hardiek returned to Dieterich after completing his military service and went on to work for J.M.S. Seed Company for 22 years.

"Later, he drove a truck for different companies until retirement," Beckman said.

In addition to being a veteran, Hardiek has been a member of Dieterich American Legion Post 628 for about 50 years and currently serves as a service officer.

Hardiek has a wife, Marie Hardiek, and together they have two children, Philip and Rachel, as well as four grandchildren.

"Larry loves spending time with his family, fishing, and working in the garage," Beckman said.

Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 3 President Tony Schmidt spoke to the crowd during the event and presented the village of Dieterich with a POW-MIA Chair of Honor that he said will be permanently placed by the Dieterich Community Veterans Memorial.

"This unoccupied seat allows us to show family members that we will stand forever vigilant by their side in support of their loved one until they all come home," Schmidt said. "It is dedicated to the memory of those brave American men and women and to the sacrifices each made in service to their country."

Additionally, Schmidt said a "superhero parking sign" will be installed in the village.

"It will be placed here in town as a reserved spot for veterans, active duty, EMTs, police force and firefighters," Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the primary goal of the Rolling Thunder, which has roughly 6,500 members throughout the united States, is to raise awareness and provide support for prisoners of war, members of the military who are missing in action and veterans.

"Please make no mistake, Rolling Thunder never has been nor never will be a motorcycle club," Schmidt said. "What we are is a 501©(4) non-profit organization."

Of the more than 81,000 U.S. servicemen and women since the first World War who remain unaccounted for, Schmidt said 4,000 of them are from the state of Illinois.

Before concluding his speech, Schmidt read out loud the names of several members of the military from the Effingham County area who have not been accounted for and those whose bodies weren't recovered until years after their service.

Also during the program, the winners of a veteran tribute challenge that students from the district participated in spoke before the crowd.

Dieterich eighth grader Morgan Bierman said veterans deserve much more than just a couple days out of the year to be honored for their service, and she called the men and women of the U.S. military "perfect role models."

"I believe that veterans should always be on our mind," Morgan Bierman said. "This is amazing because they are not forced to do this, but they love our country and its citizens so much that they would risk their lives to give us freedom."

"Not only are they giving up their own security, but their family and friends are also sacrificing when they go to war."

Another challenge winner, Mallory Bierman, commented on the "unimaginable dedication" of those serving or those who have served in all branches of the U.S. military.

"They consider American citizens like you and me before considering their own safety," Mallory Bierman said.

The crowd also heard from the winner of the sixth division of the challenge, Makayla Gifford, who urged the crowd to "never forget the debt of gratitude we owe" to veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. military.

"It is our duty to honor and support our veterans, ensuring that they receive the care, respect and opportunities they deserve."

Thursday's program also included speeches from tribute challenge division 1 winner Ashley Draves, division 2 winner Rylen Phelan and division 3 winner Josephine Jansen.

Dieterich Unit 30 Student Council President Eva Meinhart acted as a co-emcee for the event, and there were several performances from students during the program.

The district's kindergarten students led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Alex and Ben Schottman performed "The Star Spangled Banner."

Additionally, the Dieterich Junior High School Band performed the Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the district's K-6 grade choir performed "Grand Old Flag."

The event concluded with the playing of "Taps" by Ava Claire Niemerg.

Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com.