VETERANS DAY 2011

On November 11, 2011, United States of America's Veterans Day, once again, veterans got honored by AL Post 100. This year, 26 new Honor Bricks were placed into the walkway, 8 of them are dedicated to Berlin Brigade veterans. Sunny weather & blue sky gave this day a special touch! Maybe our Lord has given it to us because in deep sadness I have to report the loss of two Berlin Brigade warriors. Those two Gentlemen have been so happy & proud to got honored by AL Post100.

David Henderson, has got presented his Honor Brick last year. Unexpected cancer took him his life on August 22.
In Memory of David Henderson

Ray Hansen, has got his Honor Brick this year but on August 31, also cancer suddenly has ended his life. Ray was so happy to receive this special honor this year, was awaiting Veterans Day, but also had to leave us before this great event took place.
In Memory of Raymond A. Hansen

Rest in Peace, dear friends, we are missing you, you never be forgotten!
Here we also should remember all the other veterans and loved ones who are not more with us. You all remain in our thoughts and memories!

This year, to mention by name 3 of the 8 former Berlin Brigade soldiers, Charles Hilsky, Steven Volk & Ray Hansen, got honored by an Honor Brick.
more about Charles Hilsky
more about Steven Volk
All new bricks were already placed two weeks ago.

Guest speaker, CMSGT Corey Christians, USAF, the sound of our fantastic Irvin County High School Band & Chorus have given their best to have a perfect Veterans' Day celebration.

At the end I like to report that Jeff Davis, Post100, presented to our Irwin County High School Marching Band - Big Red - a check for $5,000 at 1/2 time at the recent football game with. The funds were raised from our Antique Car, Truck & Tractor Show that is held each year at the Georgia Sweet Potato Festival here in Ocilla, GA. The Festival is held on the last Saturday of October each year. This year is the 3^rd Annual Show and we are looking for a great turn out.

The staff of Post100 likes to express his appreciation for the outstanding contributions of its guests, members, & friends. Our patriotic citizens, & fellows of Post 100, did again an outstanding job!
Thank you, to ALL !
Enjoy following photo impressions!
yours Buddy

Feedbacks:
Dear Mr. Green,
Reinhard sent me an email this morning saying he had arranged to have a brick placed in my name in Ocilla. That would be a real honor for me. I have been familiar with your work to honor veterans from what I have read on Reinhard's web site. In fact I had even thought about contacting you to ask if I could have one placed for myself. My problem is this. I have the greatest admiration and respect for all Reinhard has done for men who served in Berlin. But I do not feel comfortable with his paying for the placing of the brick in my name. I am well off enough that I can take care of the expense. I feel I owe him more than he owes me. So, if you will let me know what the cost is, I will appreciate it. Also, Reinhard sent me a copy of the kind words you had about the short history of my time in Berlin in the Honor Page. Thank you very much.
My wife and I have made an entry on our calendar for Veterans Day. We are hoping to be able to make it up there on that day.
Ray Hansen, D.D.S. 1655 South Frederica Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 33756

Dear Buddy,
I wish to thank you again for having an Honor Brick in my name and the members of American Legion Post 100 and the citizens of Ocillia, Georgia and Reinhard and his family. Sometimes wonder if I should dedicate the Honor Brick to all our Veterans and to the our men and women now serving in our military and their families. This will be a special Veterans Day for me. Have a nice Veterans Day 11/11/11.
Hope you and Sylvia are well.
Best Regards, Charles Hilsky

Dear Reinhard,
just a note to applaud you and the work done with the web page. Again, so many people get so much joy from your work. Thanks for all you do, keep up the great work. You are the BEST !!!
Bob Anderson, Past Commander, AL Post 100.

Hey Reinhard, you did a great job on the 2011 Veterans Day story!
I can tell that you show your love for all the Berlin Veterans, all Veterans, Ocilla citizens, and American Legion Post 100. I want to Thank you for all you have done for me and Sylvia over the years of being our friend, also your family. You have helped me in a lots of ways of every day living. It good to tell people you Love them, showing them Love is the way, and you have that. Say Hi to your family, and stay healthy and happy!
Your friends, -Buddy & Sylvia-

Dear Reinhard,
I am also very sorry that Ray and I together were not able to go to Ocilla for Veterans Day. We had planned to go for the ceremony. That date, Nov. 11 would have been 56 years since our first date when he invited me out for a chocolate milkshake. Who knew we would end up married for 55 years. Every day I wish he was still here, but healthy and strong. I would not wish the terrible weakness and misery he had at the end on anyone. Every year on Nov. 11 we went out for a chocolate milkshake. I made myself one at home this year. Thank you for honoring Ray with the brick and your kind words. Thank you also for sending me the photos from Veterans Day 2011. I am forwarding it to other family members.
Best wishes to you and all the family,
-Pat Hansen-

Dear Reinhard:
Buddy Green is a nice person. Wish to thank you again for having my name put on an Honor Brick, was a great honor for me. Berlin will always on my mind and that great family of yours. Stay well and give Angela a hug for me.
Best Regards, -Charles Hilsky-

Reinhard,
once again I must thank you for the wonderful coverage of our Post 100 Veterans Day ceremony. Although I live in Pennsylvania, many miles away from Ocilla Ga, I feel honored to be a member of this Post which each year accomplishes great work. I am saddened by the fact that our friend Ray did not live to see his brick as it was placed. I am sure that he would have been smiling and very proud.
Thank you again Reinhard and thank you Buddy for being the inspiration behind the Berlin Honor bricks. I know that anyone who has had an Honor Brick placed at this memorial would tell you how proud they were, just to have their name in close proximity to the names of Ocillas true heroes, those who have given their lives in defense of freedom.
-Gene Keller-, Blue Spaders

DEAR REINHARD:
WE HAD A GOOD VETERANS DAY HERE IN OCILLA, GA, AND THERE WAS A NICE TURN OUT OF PEOPLE TO SEE, AND HEAR OUR FAMOUS HIGH SCHOOL BAND. THEY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PLAY AT THE SUPER BOWL IN NEW ORLEANS THIS SEASON. WITH SUCH A GOOD SHOWING, THE GUEST SPEAKER, COREY CHRISTIANS, AND WIFE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AT THE CEREMONY, AND AT THE DINNER AFTERWARDS.
MY FRIEND "BUDDY" GREEN, WHO HAS GOT THE INTEREST UP HERE AND OVER THERE IN YOUR LOVELY CITY OF BERLIN, AND THE "BERLIN BRIGADE" SAID HE HAD LEFT OUT OF HIS MESSAGES TO YOU, THE NAMES OF MEMBERS LOST THIS YEAR. THEY ARE LORENZAL HARPER LOCAL, AND ONE DAY BEFORE VETERANS DAY WE LOST ANOTHER LOCAL MEMBER, ANDY GIBSON. YOUR WORK WITH THE WEBSITE KEEPS THE MEMORIES OF PLEASANT FELLOWSHIP, AND TIME WITH GOOD FRIENDS, FRESH IN THE MINDS OF THOSE WHO WAS PRESENT, OR ACTUALLY LIVED IN THOSE TIMES OF STRESS, AND TENSION AS ENDURED BY THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA OF BERLIN, AND THE BERLIN BRIGADE. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR WORK, YOUR THOUGHTS, AND EVER GUIDE YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE.
IN THE COMING DAYS OF THANKSGIVING, AND CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, MAY IT BE A TIME OF JOY, PEACE, AND BLESSINGS MULTIPLYED FOUR FOLD TO YOU AND YOURS, "IN HIS LOVE", -PIERCE NELSON-