©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Two Veterans Not Forgotten |
Two U.S. Army veterans were honored at the Galesburg Armory Monday for their service over 50 years ago.
Floyd Ragsdale was drafted in 1943, sent to Europe the following year. He was honored with a Bronze Star and Belgian Fourragere for his service during the Battle of the Bulge.
Ernest Wedell received a purple heart during his 1953 battles in Korea, and yesterday was awarded the Combat Infantryman's badge.
State Representative Don Moffit says the challenge now for people to show how much they care and appreciate Ragsdale and Wedell's service.
"That's what this is all about today, no words are accurate," Moffit said. "But I hope you can continue to hear those words, the two words, 'Thank You,' to all veterans, especially our two award recipients today."
"We're the great country we are today because of you, and we shall never, never forget that."
The Iowa native Ragsdale says he was completely overwhelmed with the honor. Life-long Knox County resident Wedell says it's exciting after waiting 58 years.
Both Ragsdale and Wedell's awards came thanks to the efforts of 17th District Congressman Bobby Schilling, whose office dealt with the paper work in fulfilling the award requirements.
The two say they have nothing but praise for the congressman.
(TOP to BOTTOM: The scene inside the Galesburg Armory; Ernest Wedell sharing his excitement with others; Floyd Ragsdale says he was overwhelmed with the ceremony; WGIL News Story and Photos by Kyle Schassburger) |
|
| 10 18 11 by Newsroom |
Click here for the WGIL News Archive
Click here for national news
The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.
