'Changed'

U.S.

honors

veterans

Members of 'Barbed Wire Club' answer questions

from CHS students

By RACHEL WEDDIG

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Patriotism and gratitude for American veterans emerged during Veterans Day observances Monday at Cathedral High School and Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School on Monday.

"It's an honor to serve, to join in the fight, to lift up my voice, to lay down my life."

Lyrics from the recording "Honor to Serve," filled the MVL gymnasium during the procession of veterans preceding the addresses by school and military officials.

"God tells us our government is established by Him and uses His people to carry out His will," said MVL Superintendent Wayne Fischer. "We are here to honor and salute our government agencies. Today, for what you cannot forget and dare not forget, we honor you, as well as our country."

Area veterans from MVL Association congregations were honored and recognized as defenders of America's freedom. They stood during the "Armed Forces Salute."

Recent terrorist attacks in the United States changed Monday's Veterans Day program from previous years, said Army veteran, First Sergeant Jerome Bentz, during his keynote address.

"Every Nov. 11, we observe Veterans Day. Only 61 days after tragedy struck our nation, we gather to recognize our military veterans," Bentz said. "This is not an ordinary Veterans Day. The events of Sept. 11 are still close to our hearts as we continue to mourn the fallen and their families."

Lifestyles have changed since the terrorist attacks.

"We live in dangerous times," Bentz said. "It's almost a cliché, but no one doubts its truth today. Since Sept. 11, the world has changed. The terrorist attacks on our people have devastated America."

Bentz pointed out the significance of Veterans Day.

"God has blessed Americans with bounty and many fine American men and women who have risked their lives to defend our country's freedom," Bentz said. "Thousands of Americans fell into darkness and rubble in the World Trade Center and Pentagon, but God brought them light and brought them home."

Cathedral High School

The CHS band played patriotic hymns and the Concord Singers sang "God Bless America," in the gymnasium.

"This is a time to honor veterans and thank them for their services and sacrifices," said Gary Wiltscheck, of the New Ulm Chapter of Disabled American Veterans.

John Makepeace, co-producer of the documentary "The Barbed Wire Club," explained that his film is based on testimony from World War II prisoners of war.

"The Barbed Wire Club" aired on the Public Broadcasting Station this past Sunday. It is expected to be broadcast again in early December in remembrance of Pearl Harbor.

The idea for the film came about three years ago, Makepeace said.

The film features Minnesota POWs who were captured by the Japanese, including the producer's father.

After the POWs were released, they started talking about their experiences and called themselves "The Barbed Wire Club."

"This film tells the true stories of sailors, Marines, Army and Air Corps who were captured by the Japanese," Makepeace said. "These stories tell what happened 60 years ago, and I was interested in telling about the day-to-day experiences of the POWs of Japan."

During an open forum, CHS students asked guest POWs who were featured in the film questions about their experiences.

One POW described his return to the United States as the "greatest feeling in the world" and said most POWs cried when they saw the American flag for the first time after they were released.

The POWs said they lived on 800 calories a day and worked 12 to 16 hours a day. They said the transition back to "normal life" in America wasn't too difficult.

"It's an honor to have World War II veterans with us today and thank you for what you gave up for the costs of freedom," Wiltscheck said. "The price of freedom just went up, and what we're witnessing today is a real-life testimony."

At the close of the program, the crowd erupted in applause and rose to their feet to honor the veterans with a standing ovation.

The POWs saluted in grateful response.