If you have ever felt that history…and in particular military history…isn't being taught in our schools like it was in the good old days you will instantly recognize why a hard-working crew of United States Veterans established the organization Lest We Forget in the first place. There was an overwhelming feeling that our children were not being taught the basic principles that have made America great.
Lest We Forget was started by a group of veterans who felt that patriotism was too important of a subject to be given the short shrift that it receives in our schools and community. Their operating principle is "To brighten the future we must illuminate the past."
The manner in which they have "illuminated the past" has become a cornerstone to the community of Michigan's Great Southwest through WWII re-enactments, patriotic concerts, presentations by Medal of Honor recipients, and other programs including the presentation of the American flag to Frank Buckles, our last WWI veteran, TV telecasts to schools throughout the country, participation in local parades, presentations in our schools on the flag, college classes on WWII, Korea and Vietnam wars, publication of a book of WWII stories by local veterans and much more.
This weekend, they are taking up the torch once again through a series of special events throughout the community. Original plans were to conduct beach landings at Tiscornia Beach again this year, however high lake water levels have reduced the beach to two short of a distance to do so, so those actions are moved to the SW Michigan Regional Airport. Here is what you can expect to find over the next couple of days:
LEST WE FORGET SCHEDULE FOR WWII, KOREA AND VIETNAM RE-ENACTMENT
June 23 – 26, 2016 at the SW MI REGIONAL AIRPORT (BENTON HARBOR
Thursday the 23rd thru Sunday the 26th —Take a ride on a WWII landing craft (Gator) or VN River Boat at BH –Boat Launch on Riverview Drive—10-4 pm. Donations are requested for rides on Landing Craft.
Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th —Take a ride on a WWII landing craft (Gator) or (Duck) In South Bend at the Viewing Park in Down town South Bend, 900 Northside Blvd. on the St Joseph River—10-4 pm. Donations are requested for rides on Landing Craft.
Friday the 24th thru Sunday 26th – VN Huey medevac and Civilian Helicopter, Fri afternoon, Sat 9-5 and Sun 9-3 pm. Fees apply.
Friday the 24th
2:00 Motorcycle Escort of the “The Michigan Vietnam Memorial Wall”, (Vietnam Memorial for Michigan Vets) Arrival. Berrien County Sheriff’s Motor Cycle Team will escort the wall from DiMaggio’s Restaurant down M-63 to St Joseph, Turn and go thru Benton Harbor and on to the airport to set up. Motor cyclists that want to participate must be at DiMaggio’s at 1:00 pm to register
Friday Evening the 24th :
6:00 The Michigan Vietnam Memorial Wall (Vietnam Memorial for Michigan Vets) open for viewing in front of Hangar. Provided by The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter No. 73, in Holland, Michigan
7:00 In Hangar: Featured Speakers: Moderator; LTC (Ret) “Denny Gillem”
Duane Dewey (Korean MOH); When an enemy grenade landed close to his position, he bravely smothered the deadly grenade with his body, personally absorbing the full force of the explosion to save his comrades from possible injury or death
Charles Kettles (VN MOH (pending); On 15 May 1967, Major Kettles, a helicopter pilot made multiple trips into a battle near Duc Pho and saved many lives at the risk of his own.
Army SGT Nick Koulchar; serving In Iraq lost both of his legs in 2008, when his vehicle in Iraq was hit by an explosive.
Saturday the 25th
0700 Chow Hall opens and remains open until 1900, Airport Terminal, (EEA Chapter 585)
0900 Take a ride on a VN Huey medevac or civilian helicopter til 05:00 pm. Fees apply.
0930 Patriotic Music, by John Steer (John’s CD is available for sale at the LWF Sales booth in hangar.
1000 Take a ride on a WWII landing craft ride in a Gator or VN River Boat at Benton Harbor Boat Launch on Riverview Drive 10-4 pm. Donations are requested for rides on Landing Craft
1000 Opening Ceremony at Airport Battle Field
Missing Man Formation led by Tom Hibiske of the Hooligans
1000 European Landing—Narrated by Bill Sheets
Aircraft Attack (Hooligans)
Flame Throwers used in the Battle
Demo, Larry McLean & Charlie Hobson (after landing at rope)
1100 Program: In Hangar
Presentation by Korean Consul General from Chicago
Recognition of Korean Soldiers and Korean Vietnam Soldiers
Duane Dewey (Korean MOH & Charles Kettles (VN MOH (pending)
1200 Program: In Hangar
82 Airborne Parachute Pack Demonstration
In The Battle Field
1300 American and Korean Flag Drop by the “West Michigan Skydivers”
1315 Vietnam Battle w/flame thrower —Narrated by Glen Veno
1415 WWII European War Heavy Equipment Battle —Narrated by Bill Sheets
Aircraft Attack led by Tom Hibiske of the Hooligans
Flame Thrower used in the Battle
Heavy Equipment display along Line after Battle
In Hangar
1500 Presentation by Col Brian Dykstra and his associates; “Modern Day War Medical Evacuations”
1600 Army SGT Nick Koulchar; Hear his story of sacrifice and perseverance after losing his legs to an IED in Iraq
1700 Book Signing—Authors of military books
1800 40’s – 60’s Fashion Show—Blue Star Mothers
1845 Jeffrey Whittaker—“Thanks for the Memories” (Sinatra, Crosby, Martin, Presley)
2000 “Hangar Swing Dance”—Music by the “Moonlighters”
Sunday the 26th
In Hangar
0900 Book Signing—Authors of military books
1000 Vietnam Medal of Honor (pending) Charles Kettles
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