DIETERICH – Ruthie Welty, a 78-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was the guest speaker during Dieterich’s Memorial Day commemoration.
Welty met a recruiter during college and served from 1966 to 1968 doing top-secret cryptography. While serving, she met her husband, Steve, and they had four children together.
Welty was the chairperson for the American Legion Illinois State POW/MIA before becoming its District Commander. Welty has also started a women veterans group, the Shooting Stars Drill Team, for elementary school girls and the veteran’s war walk.
In her speech, Welty taught the audience about the veteran’s walk. She invites nine different schools’ fifth grade classes around Flora, Ill., to Elmwood Cemetery where more than 900 veterans are buried. The tour began with her teaching them how to identify veterans’ graves, and then someone dressed as Betsy Ross explains her history. Then, the students learn about the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American war, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, prisoners of war, Vietnam, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. The students learn about these through posters, monuments, people dressed as historical figures and real equipment that was used during war.
“Really, when you think about it, every day is Memorial Day somewhere,” said Welty.
This was Welty’s first time giving a speech like this since her late-husband, Steve, used to give them.
“I think all the speeches were excellent,” said Dieterich resident Donald Dorn, 77. Donald and his wife Karen said they attend every city celebration.
“The people coming out everywhere to see it was amazing,” said Karen.
Both Donald and Karen had and have family in the military, and Donald, himself, served in the military. He was drafted for Vietnam in 1967 and left in 1973.
“I will say this: They sent me to a leadership school, and I was a squad leader all the time I was in Vietnam and in the infantry, and what they taught me in the military kind of followed me in my civilian life,” said Donald. “Just about every job I’ve held, I’ve been in a leadership position.”
After Welty’s speech, Mayor Brad Hardiek read the names of those who lived in Dieterich and sacrificed their lives.
“It’s a time to ensure that the sacrifices of the fallen are remembered. Be sure and place a flag in a veteran’s grave. Educate future generations on the full history of Memorial Day ensuring that all who served are remembered. Take a child to the cemetery and teach them how to tell a veteran’s grave,” said Welty. “Introduce your children and grands to virtues like bravery, sacrifice and loyalty.”