St. Paul United Church of Christ in Monee celebrated America’s military veterans on Saturday with a breakfast, some music, and inspiring speeches.
The breakfast featured comments from event Moderator David Holston, Monee American Legion Commander David Batzek, and Christi Holston, chairperson for the Wreaths Across America program.
Keynote speaker was the Rev. Dr. James Hunt, pastor of New Hope Christian Community Church and a Navy veteran. (Please see related story.)
In his comments, David Holston said, “We’re here today to honor our Veterans and service members, to remember their achievements, their courage and their dedication, and to say thank you for their sacrifices. We are thinking of the heroes who join us in this group today and those who are here only in spirit. We stand in the midst of patriots and the family and friends of those who have nobly served.”
Asking service members and veterans to stand, he added, “Thank you for answering the call to duty. You have made our armed forces the most respected in the world.
“Now I’d also like to ask the family members of any service member to stand. We know you have lived through difficult times and often took the heavy load to keep the home fires burning. Thank you for what you have done.
“The service members we honor today came from all walks of life, but they shared several fundamental qualities. They possessed courage, pride, determination, selflessness, dedication to duty and integrity – all the qualities needed to serve a cause larger than one’s self.
“Many of them didn’t ask to leave their homes to fight on distant battlefields. Many didn’t even volunteer. They didn’t go to war because they loved fighting. They were called to be part of something bigger than themselves. They were ordinary people who responded in extraordinary ways in extreme times. They rose to the nation’s call because they wanted to protect a nation that has given them and us all so much.
“Millions of Americans have fought and died on battlefields here and abroad to defend our freedoms and way of life. Today, our troops continue to make the ultimate sacrifices and, even as we lose troops, more Americans step forward to say, I’m ready to serve. They follow in the footsteps of generations of fine Americans.
“Today, people throughout the country will gather together to remember, to honor, and to pay tribute to those who have served our country. Our gathering is just one small spark in the flame of pride that burns across the nation today and every day. It is one small way we can honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in freedom.”
Legion Commander David Batzek noted that “Americans never forget. This is what Veterans Day is all about. We remember the brave and honorable men and women who have served in our Armed Forces since the founding of our nation.
“Ten years ago, a veteran received overdue, but well-deserved, recognition nearly a century after his brave and legendary service. William Shemin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his WWI heroism.
“While fighting in France as a member of the Army’s 47th Infantry Regiment,” Batzek continued, “Sgt. Shemin repeatedly left his cover and exposed himself to enemy machinegun and rifle fire, while rescuing wounded comrades during a three-day period.
“Even after being shot in the head, he refused to accept medical help until his platoon safely was withdrawn.
“His bravery inspired fellow soldiers to recommend him for the nation’s highest military award. But the senior brass rejected the request because Shemin was Jewish, and discrimination was far too common. The request, at that time, was downgraded to Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for military valor. Shemin responded with the humility that epitomizes so many heroes, saying, ‘War is not about medals. I love my country. I love my men. That’s all that counts.’
“While Medal of Honor recipients are an elite class among the special group of people that we call ‘veterans,’ Shemin’s love for his country and his fellow soldiers is typical of the men and women we honor today.
“I was thinking about this yesterday,” Batzek said.
“Did you know that currently only about six percent of the American adult population can call themselves a veteran? And less than four percent of American adults are active duty. This is a small and talented group who we entrust with our country’s safety. When a veteran leaves the military, he or she is likely to be a key contributor to our communities. They may be teachers, construction workers, first responders, etc. Regardless of occupation, veterans take their missions seriously. They are more likely to volunteer in their communities. When a veteran stops serving their country, they never truly stop serving.
“I’ll leave you with this: ‘Just doing their job,’ as an Army Sgt. Shemin from WWI would say with modesty.”
In her remarks, Christi Holston sought support for the upcoming Wreaths Across America ceremony at St. Paul Cemetery.
“Thank you for joining us here today as we celebrate the mission to Remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” she said.
“And thank you to everyone who donates by sponsoring a wreath. Your generosity and support of our veterans is what makes a day like this possible.
“Wreaths Across America is a National program honoring every American Soldier by laying a wreath at their grave during the holiday season.
“This year, 2025, is the fifth year St. Paul’s Landmarked Cemetery has participated in Wreaths Across America.
“The cost of each wreath is $17. Please consider buying one wreath or more to honor an American Hero. Our goal is to again sell 100 wreaths for the 100 veterans in our cemetery, plus an additional 20 wreaths for veterans in nearby forgotten and abandoned cemeteries, like the Will-Presbyterian Cemetery where three Civil War Soldiers lay.
“Our total goal is 120 wreaths. To donate, drop off a check at the church office, made out to Wreaths Across America, or purchase online at WreathsAcrossAmerica.org, using the code ILSPCM1 so St. Paul’s Cemetery will receive your wreath for placement at this location.”
Holston also told the group the Monee Historical Society is launching a project aimed at putting together a comprehensive history of all the veterans and service members from the Monee area. She said the project includes all veterans who would like to be included, even those who might not have lived in the village but have family in the area or anyone connected to Monee in some way.
“The more veterans we can include, the better,” she said.
For more information, contact the MHS on the website: https://moneehistoricalsociety.com.
Saturday’s breakfast was the first St. Paul’s has hosted since 2022, Holston said later.
“We had just lost our pastor and were not functioning as well as we are now,” she explained. “It was thought we did not have enough volunteers to have this big an event. We did not hold it for two years, but decided that this year, we were going to make sure it was reinstated, and we did whatever it took to make it a success! Our veterans are too important not to be recognized.
“We were very happy with the turnout,” she added, “and have already started to plan the 2026 event.
“Alyce Stocking, of St. Paul’s, deserves much of the credit for making sure the breakfast was so delicious and the dining room ran smoothly. She has been in charge of the food and serving before and always does an excellent job.
“The thing that made today such a success is that we had so many different organizations helping. The DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) was there on Friday helping to set up and to decorate and was there again this morning helping to serve the food. The Women’s Auxiliary was also there on Friday and again today helping. They provided little gifts for each veteran, so they all felt extra special. The folks from New Hope Christian Community Church supplied all of the coffee cakes so some of the food prep work was taken off of the shoulders of the women’s and men’s fellowship groups from St. Paul’s, who donated all of the rest of the food and spent hours in the kitchen preparing it.
“Reverend Hunt, from New Hope, delivered a wonderful tribute to the veterans, and Dave Batzek of the Monee American Legion Post also paid tribute to the veterans. Even Mayor Therese Bogs helped out, bussing tables at the end of the meal!
“So you see, St. Paul’s had plenty of volunteers to put on the event. By calling on all of our friends from different organizations in the community, we were able to work together to have a fun and meaningful Veterans Day tribute.”