PROFILES IN PATRIOTISM

The Auxiliary’s National Program is "Profiles in Patriotism." This is a program to honor an area Veteran that still continues to serve his or her country through community service.

What is Patriotism? When asked this most people answer, “to serve your country or to salute the flag when it goes by in a parade.” The dictionary says it is one who loves and serves his country. But when not fighting for our freedom, Patriotism is much more than that. Our answer must be to continue to live our lives as Americans, to stand up for freedom and justice for all, to honor and to hold the flag high, and to offer aide and support to those in need.

Aiding others in need is a difficult, time consuming, and sometimes a thankless job. Yet it has its own rewards. To give the gift of time and caring! An unselfish commitment of personal giving and love. Weather it be driving someone to the veterans hospital or buying and taking gifts and food to people in their times of need.

Thinking of others when you have troubles of your own is “Patriotism”. We all have problems of our own but if you look around even in this room there is someone that is a little worse off. Are you willing to do something to make their life easier? Showing what a great country this is by how we stick together and help each other. This is “Patriotism”.

Our veteran is only one of 100’s of thousands of courageous men that served our country in a war. But he was one of the lucky ones that came home to his family. But, whether it is Vietnam or any war, just like a lot of you, I’m sure he saw more than his share of death and tragedy. Maybe that is why he still cares so much for his fellow men.

What is courage? Some say it is the lack of fear. We say, “NO”. Courage is doing what is right even in the presence of fear.

Fighting for your country when you could get killed or would rather be at home with your family and still not questioning it at all. Giving your best, and some even gave their all.

Most of the people in this room have lost someone be it family, a friend, or a fallen comrade in one war or another, these people along with the ones that survived fought for our freedom. This is Patriotism. This is Courage.

The early veterans fought and won our freedom. Today as Americans, we cannot take our freedom for granted. Freedom is NOT free, and it never was. It was bought and paid for by the blood of our veterans. Although most people my age do not understand the total cost that was paid, the freedoms we have gained and still enjoy today are worth fighting for. Whether it be to help a small country get a tiny grasp of this freedom or to maintain our own, or even to make it so I can live with my parents wherever we choose. We as Patriotic and Courageous Americans will step up to the plate and score the Home Run for our team, “The U.S.A.”, whenever it is necessary.

We wish we could have honored all of our area veterans because everyone of you, and even the ones that are no longer with us are all special to us. But, we had to choose only one. It was a hard choice, but we choose Bob Beam as our Most Valuable Veteran.

Our military has often been called to protect our freedom. Bob was just one who was called to serve. Bob was born in Hartford, MI on June 6, 1948. He joined the Air Force on Feb 24th, 1967, when he was 18 yrs old. In November of 1967 Bob went to Vietnam. He was with the 832nd security force stationed in Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Bob and his unit secured an area and helped so our soldiers could be gotten out. He was only one of the many brave and scared young men that served our country. On August 16, 1968 Bob was wounded in action and later received the Purple Heart. Bob left Vietnam in March of 1969. He was then stationed at the Air Force base in Clovis, New Mexico where he was to meet his wife Lupe in April of 1969 (now of 32 years). It was love at first sight. They were married in June of 1969. Bob got his discharge from the Air Force on March 15, 1970. Bob and Lupe had three children and now have eight grandchildren. He still loves his country, his fellow Americans, and his flag. He shows it in many ways, even today.

Above speech given by Amelia Christopher, age 11.

Then the four flag bearers and escort went to the back of the room. Bob Beam was escorted to a special seat in the front of the room. The following speeches were read and gifts of appreciation were presented.

Alicia Reichard, age 9:

Bob, his wife Lupe, Bob and Maxine Barnes put on a benefit dinner to raise Money to buy food and gifts to take to people in need at Christmas. This shows us how much he cares for others. Bob, the Jr. Girls and I give you this Air Force T-Shirt to show our thanks.

Sammi Detrick, age 9:

Bob is a very nice man. He buys food and takes it to senior citizens. He went to a Speedway gas station and told them to put a better flag up. Once in Kentucky Bob went up to a man’s house and knocked on his door. The man didn’t answer, so Bob went and took down that man’s flag. The man came out to Bob and said, “what are you doing?” Bob told him who he was and that he was a member of the VFW in Michigan. And whenever he saw torn up flags he made sure they were replaced. Bob offered to send him a new flag, but the man said not to because he would replace the flag himself. We are proud to be Americans where the flag still stands for freedom. We won’t forget the men who died to give that right to us. God bless the USA and thank you Bob for watching out for our flags. The Jr. Girls and I give you this “Flag/Eagle” pin.

Amanda Thomson, age 12:

Bob Beam served in Vietnam from November 1967 to March 1969. While in the service he was one of the guys in the helicopter who secured an area and took injured men to hospital areas for care. Bob also gave his time to take veterans to their hospital appointments.

Bob, the Jr. Girls and I are giving you this card saying you have a ceiling tile coming. (A ceiling tile is painted to represent and honor a veteran and hung in the VFW club)

Amelia Christopher, age 11:

The last 2 years, Bob has walked to raise money for cancer research. He walked about 33 miles a day for 15 days. Totaling 500 miles each year. With donations from local businesses and some individuals, he raised about $6,000.00 last year. And the year before he raised about $10,000. All of this money was donated to Wayne State University to be used for cancer research.

After 1.5 years of research, Bob organized an awards ceremony on Veterans Day Last year. He located medals for 2 of our own Veterans. He had US Representative Pete Hoekstra and State Senator William VanRegenmorter to come out and present the awards to the 2 men.

He has done may acts of kindness for this community and this country. Some he will be remembered for and others will go unnoticed. But for us, he is our MOST VALUABLE VETERAN FOR 2002.

Presented Bob Beam a MVV plaque signed by the Junior Girls

A prayer was read by Heidi Roelofs and those present enjoyed a picnic style lunch. Pictures and awards from Bob’s past and present were displayed.

The Junior Girl Unit 7911 is made up of daughters and granddaughters of Veterans Of Foreign Wars. There are currently 13 members. Those present were: Felicia Cates, Amelia Christopher, Rebecca Christopher, Sammi Detrick, Heidi Roelofs, Amanda Thomson, Ashley Wheeler, Melinda Thurman, Alicia Reichard. Chairman: Janet Roelofs Co-chairman: Linda Christopher