Remembering and sacrifice

by J. Patrick Reilly

Last week the area paid tribute to a fallen Korean War hero, Cpl Robert Raess, whose remains were home more than 70 years after he was killed in action.  His remains were positively identified last March and the journey began to return him to his final resting place in Dodgeville.

The community turned out in large numbers to watch his return home processional, attend his funeral service and witness his burial in Saint Joseph Cemetary near his parents.

With yesterday being September 11 it is fitting to note that our country has been in war for many years while it is not called a war.  Since that fateful day when we were attacked on our own soil we have been in conflicts in Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.  There have been many lives lost along the way.

Military personnel like Cpl Raess have given their lives in the name of freedom.  Freedom is worth fighting for.

It seems it doesn’t matter how much aid we give or how hard we work as a country to promote world peace, we are still the “bad guy” in the eyes of those in countries thousands of miles away.  Apparently that will remain the norm with no real solution in sight.

We need to remember those who lost their lives in the senseless act of 9/11 and we need to remember those who, like Cpl Raess, who have given their lives defending our country.  

(For those wanting to watch the procession to return Cpl Raess to Dodgeville visit Dodgeville Chronicle Facebook page to see the video provided by John Dalton)