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Text: Inaugural Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/walk Recorded 11/10/12 Produced by m. thompson
Music Bridge
WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Text: The Inaugural Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/walk November 10, 2012
Fallen Soldiers 5K Run/Walk participants
Mick Cumbie: Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for the presentation
of our national anthem, and the invocation.
The anthem will be sung by WIU senior vocal performance major, Andrea Dunn.
The invocation will be given by WIU
and staff member and US Navy chaplain Lieutenant Commander, Ron Pettigrew.
Dunn: Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
[APPLAUSE]
Pettigrew: Let us pray, Lord, as there always is a soldier, sailor, airmen, guardsmen, and marine
who stands watch in harms way. In a field, ship, or plane.
Help us this day, to go about remembering our brothers,
sisters, sons and daughters who have fallen.
Help us to impart patriotism, friendship,
and a bigger picture then ourselves and our own comfort.
To honor those who have stood with courage
to protect liberty, justice, and equal opportunity for all.
As our nation observes a day of remembrance of veterans,
help us also, to not forget fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters,
wives and children who have known the grief of death
and the agony of not having their lost love ones.
Cause us to look deep within ourselves
to see what resources we might have to perceiver based on their heroic example.
Specifically, through the Fallen Soldiers tribute and 5K Run/walk today.
We ask you to help us to remember the sacrifices
of our fallen soldier, sailor, airmen, marine, such as Lieutenant Colonel, Robert E. Bowen
a WIU graduate, and Captain Derek Dobogai, a 2003 graduate,
and ask that your spirit would undergird us who preach,
teach and live and work in our local and university community.
To give back to those who have given
and our still giving to us.
In your name we pray... Amen.
Please take your seats.
Please welcome the President of Western Illinois University, Dr. Jack Thomas.
[Applause]
WIU President Jack Thomas: Thank you!
Good morning, to our honored guest, the administration,
faculty, staff, students and the university community.
We welcome you to Western Illinois University,
and to the Fallen Soldiers 5K opening ceremony.
Thank you, for gathering here this morning
to pay tribute to the many courageous men and women
who have bravely served our great country
here in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Western Illinois University is proud of it's many students,
faculty, staff, who our veterans and our current active members of the armed forces.
We pause today, to salute you, and we sincerely thank you.
Western Illinois University is proud
of this long tradition of recognizing and embracing diversity.
We're proud that we are able to celebrate our veterans.
We're proud of the fact, that for the fourth consecutive year
Western Illinois University has been recognized
By G.I. Jobs Magazine as a military friendly institution.
We will continue to support our veterans.
John F. Kennedy, once said, "As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.
It is because of our veterans, because of their contributions
that we are our able to stand here today
to celebrate veterans in a free nation.
Their sacrifices should never be forgotten.
Let us remember those individuals who have shared
much sweat and tears. Let us remember those individuals
who shed blood protecting our nation.
Let us remember those individuals who died
so that we might enjoy freedom... today.
Let us remember those families who have been left behind
to cherish their love ones legacies.
Let us remember the freedom, the liberty,
the justice, and the privileges that we have as American citizens.
It is all because of our veterans, their contributions have not been in vein.
This morning, we're gathered here today to honor the lives
of two alumni Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bowen,
and Captain Derek Dobogai, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
I would like to welcome members of their families.
Sherri and Gary Bowen, parents of Colonel Robert Bowen.
Please stand so that we can honor you today.
[Applause]
Thank you!
Lisa and Dan Dobogai, please stand so we can honor you,
and other family and friends who are with you as well.
[Applause]
Lisa and Dan Dobogai, are the mother and brother of Captain Robert Dobogai.
We thank you for being apart of this very special day
and this very special ceremony this morning.
Now I would like to introduce the Vice President
for Advancement and Public Services
an Executive Officer of the WIU Foundation Mr. Brad Bainter.
[Applause]
Bainter: Thank you, President Thomas.
On behave of the Western Illinois University,
I would like to thank you for your attendance
and participation in this very special day on campus.
As Executive Officer of the Western Illinois University Foundation,
I would also like to thank you for your support
of the Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund,
it will provide much needed support to our veterans
returning to Western to prepare for their next phase in life.
I would like to recognize a few people in attendance today.
First, Representative Norine Hammond, please stand.
Congratulations on your re-election.
[Applause]
Mayor of Macomb, Mike Inman.
[Applause]
Mike, we appreciate the cooperation of the city
in establishing this run through the city streets.
Vice-Presidents, Ken Hawkinson, Julie DeWees,
Julie, with helping with registration.
[Applause]
There are a lot of people to thank that will come later,
but the person who will deliver those thanks,
will probably won't thank herself cause she is the reason
this race is going on Dana Biernbaum.
[Applause]
And just a reminder, to all registrants, all veterans that are here today,
you are invited as guest of President Thomas
and the WIU Foundation to attend the pre-game lunch
in the presidents tent from 11-1.
We hope to see you all there.
Western has a long and wonderful history
of supporting our students in the military,
and welcoming our veterans back to campus.
In 1926, Ray "Rock" Hanson, Hanson Field,
on the recommendation of [unintelligible]
was hired by Western to oversee our athletic program.
Hanson was a highly decorated World War I marine,
having received the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.
In France, Hanson's 96th company was assigned
to the fourth brigade second division of the army.
The second division was comprised of both marines, and army and that division
achieved fame for their courageous efforts explodes
that help turn the tide on World War I in the ellides favor.
Hanson's marine brigade became famous and known
as the "Devil Dogs" for their courage and heroism.
In 1927, Rock petition the U.S. Department of the Navy,
for permission to use the marine logo
and the term leathernecks at Western.
Permission was granted!
Lieutenant Colonel Hanson, served his country again
in World War II, and returned to Western, retiring in 1963.
He would be proud to be standing here today in such a ceremony.
As we recognize and support and honor
all of our veterans and active military today
from all the branches it seems appropriate
to also recognize that today is the 237th Anniversary of the Founding of the Marine Corp.
Today, Western continues to be recognized as a military friendly school,
and is home to highly regarded and awarded ROTC program.
We welcome veterans back to Macomb to study at Western,
and we support current students enlisted
in all branches of the military.
And today, we come together to honor all veterans
and current active members of all branches of the military.
And we come together to give special recognition
of thanks to those who gave all.
More specifically, we come together to remember
the lives of Colonel... Lieutenant Colonel Robert Bowen
and Captain Derek Dobogai, and to honor their families.
On a personnel note, I feel, humbled to be standing here today.
I am not a veteran, I'm a child of a veteran,
born in an army hospital, having lived in four different areas of the country
by the time I was five, but I'm not a veteran.
I have a some understanding of the sacrifices
made by military families because of my early life.
But I do not know the feeling that many of you have had here today.
Proud to be a veteran, but I am an American.
Fiercely proud to say that,
and to be thankful to stand before you today
and say that because of your sacrifices.
I do not take my freedom lightly.
Though I'm not a veteran I'm a parent.
I think I know a lot about parenting, but fortunately,
my kids aren't here today to tell me differently.
But just the thought of losing one of my kids
could bring me to my knees.
I know I'd give up my life for my kids if I had that choice.
And although, you Gary and Sherri, and Lisa would do the same.
I can only thank you for sharing your children with us at Western.
I can only hope that God continues to comfort you,
and encourage you until you are all united together once more.
Again, on behalf of Western Illinois University Foundation,
I thank you for this tremendous show of support today,
for the Dobogai and Bowen families,
and for your support of the Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund... Thank you!
[Applause]
Combie: We will now honor Lieutenant Colonel Bowen,
Captain Dobogai, and our fellow Western Illinois University veterans
with the laying of three wreaths.
Following the laying of wreaths, we will honor our fallen comrades
with the playing of taps.
It is appropriate for military members in uniform
to render the hand salute on the first note of taps.
It's also appropriate for civilians to place
their right hand over their heart.
Sherry and Gary Bowen, parents of Lieutenant Rob Bowen
will now present a wreath in his honor.
Lieutenant Colonel Rob Bowen, earned his Bachelor of Science degree
in Industrial Technology at Western,
and was commissioned to the U.S. Army Second Lieutenant, in 1993.
Lieutenant Colonel Bowen, also earned two masters degrees to include
a Military Masters in Military Art and Science
from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies,
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and a Masters in Adult Education
from Kansas State University.
While at Western, he was also an active member
of the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity.
Lieutenant Colonel Bowen served as an Aviation Liaison Officer,
assigned to headquarters and headquarters company 101st Combat Aviation Brigade,
101st Airborne Division, Air Assault.
His awards and decorations include:
The Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal,
Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal,
Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation,
National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device,
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM),
Armed Forces Service Medal,
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon,
NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge,
and Senior Army Aviator Badge.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert F. Bowen was killed on September 21, 2010.
When a blackhawk helicopter carrying five soldiers
crashed in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.
While in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Lieutenant Colonel Bowen, and his four fellow soldiers
all perished in the crash.
Lieutenant Colonel Bowen, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Lisa and Dan Dobogai, mother and brother
of Captatin Derek Dobogai, will now present a wreath in his honor.
Captain Derek Dobogai, earned his Bachelor of Science degree
in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration at Western,
and was commissioned to U.S. Army Second Lieutenant in 2003.
Captain Dobogai, had an distinguished undergraduate career at Western.
As a member of the ROTC Bulldog Battalion.
During his senior year Derek was ranked
as the number fourteen Army ROTC cadet in the nation
among more than four thousand cadets.
Derek also competed in athletics at Western,
and was among the top Leatherneck cross country runners,
and ran the steeplechase in track.
Captain Dobogai, served combat tours in Afghanistan and in Iraq.
And he had recently been selected to the U.S. Army Special Forces
better known as the Green Berets'.
As lieutenant, Derek earned the distinction
as "Lieutenant of the Year" for the 25th Infantry Division,
based in Schofield Barracks Hawaii.
Captain Dobogai, awards and decorations include:
The Bronze Star Medal, Two Army Commendation Medals,
Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star,
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star,
Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon,
Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Expert Infantryman Badge,
Ranger Tab Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
Captain Derek Dobogai, was killed on October 22, 2007.
When a blackhawk helicopter carrying fourteen soldiers
crashed in a malness region of the northern Iraq.
While in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Captain Dobogai, four helicopter crew members,
and nine other soldiers all perished in the crash.
Captain Dobogai, is buried at his home
in FOND DU LAC, Wisconsin, and is also inurned in Arlington National Cemetery,
in a group burial with his fellow soldiers
also killed in the helicopter.
Derrick Bernabei, past president of the WIU Veterans Club,
will now present a wreath to honor all WIU Veterans past and present.
This wreath honors the 167 Western students that served in World War I,
and the 8 soldiers that perished in that war.
This wreath honors the 572 Western students,
and faculty that served in World War II,
including 3 dozen women and the 53 that lost their lives in that war.
And this wreath honors the countless Western Illinois University students,
faculty, and staff that served honorably
since our two World Wars, many of whom are no longer with us.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for the playing of taps and the benediction.
[Audience members stand]
Dr. John Copper: The Playing of TAPS
Pettigrew: Let us pray.
Lord, I ask you to bless, everyone gathered here today.
For those coming together for the run, I would also ask that they would give their best,
and have a good time and good spirit.
I ask, you to put forth your blessing
on every family represented.
Help us to also not forget in you we live,
we move and have our very being.
And the greatness of a nation and a people
are a gift of the Lord for those who know him,
and that you can bring your people out of war
into victory and love, honor, and peace.
In your name we pray and thank you this day AMEN.
Dana Biernbaum: Good morning and thank you all for being here.
I can not even believe how many of you have joined us this morning.
We are just incredibly impressed with the turn out.
So, thank you all for your support of this event.
Hopefully, we can all find our way out to the start line
and get this thing rolling.
Thank you all for being here.
[Applause]
[Participants at Start Line for 5K Run/walk race]
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
[Voice of Biernbaum] Well Kathy Meyers, from the Veterans Resource Center
came to us and asked if we would help to organize a way
to raise some money for the Fallen Soldier Scholarship Fund
which was just recently established in honor
of two of our alumni who perished in service to our country,
and we were thrilled immediately
to help her out in any way we can.
So, we came up with an idea of running a 5K race,
and we started organizing and it turned into
a tremendously successful event, and we're so very grateful
that we were able to participate in it.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Judy Yeast: As we started working with athletics
because Derek was an athlete, that it would be nice
to finish it at Hanson Field,
and then we decided we really need to think big.
The football team had a game at 1 o'clock,
and the rest is history. We decided to call it the Fallen Soldiers Race.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Bainter: I think to select um... the families
of two of our own that has fallen in battle
was very important to us and lead us to really become involved.
So many areas in the university you become involved in,
and the participation of this event,
and trying to make it the very best we could .
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Ann Comerford:I participated today, because there was so much energy
and excitement about this race on campus this week
that a number of people asked me if I was participating,
and I really felt the energy and thought,
this is a great opportunity to get out, exercise,
and really support a great cause.
I have two uncles that served and it's a way for me
to honor and respect them and they'll be excited to know
that I went out and walked this morning
and they were probably out working and relaxing and being retirees.
So, that's why I did it today!
Dale Adkins: My dads a vet! He was in the Navy,
and I've always had a very special infinity
for the men and women who serve.
I've had a lot of students over the years
who have been vets, who have been in my classes.
Men and women who've been called up
during the middle of a semester have left,
and uh... have kept in touch with them.
Over the years uh... have being kind of drawn
into their lives, into their stories, and even into their families
uh... and it's really special to be able to honor
those men and women who've uh... who served
to allow us to be free here in America.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Dale Reeves: This is a awesome event... um.. because there's not a lot of programs
out there for veterans like scholarships and that.
So, having this available for Western students,
and student veterans is awesome because there is not a lot of scholarships available.
We have our GI Bill, but that's really about it.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Tom Carper: Well I came here in 1964, as a., as a.. you know, normal student,
but then I came back in 1970 as a vet.
So, at that time Vietnam... uh.. campus had 7- 800 Vietnam vets.
Either the GI Bill, a tremendous support
through the State and the University
for helping vets get accumulated and assimilated
back into the, the uh... University community.
And just community in general.
So, it's been very supportive all the through they do a fantastic job.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Kathy Meyers: My role is to assist student veterans,
and incoming students with the processes
associated with enrolling and being admitted in Western.
We assist with various phases.
The whole idea of the Veterans Resource Center,
is that we are one stop shop and we streamline services for students.
We provide assistance with the GI Bill,
The Illinois Veteran Grant, The National Guard Grant.
Any type of programs, we do a great job I think,
of uh... looking at the different programs and identifying
which students qualify for the various programs.
So, we maximize their financial opportunities.
We also spend a great deal of time working with them
in the transition as they leave the military.
Joe Maluck: Our main focus as Veterans Club,
is to socialize veterans and recuperate them back into civilian life.
Separating from service is a hard time, and were here
to make sure that you fit in and you don't feel left out.
Going into a civilian classrooms and being around... uh..
your local students and your fellow classmates.
It's a different experience for kids
that just graduated from high school.
You've gone through life changing experiences
that know one actually understands, and we're here to help you with that.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Kathy Caraway: Since I got to Western, the vets club has been
just... it's my family. I'm actually from Ohio.
So, the vets club really kind of took me in,
and their always around, you know, just to do anything,
or hang out, just so you don't feel alone,
and you feel comfortable around other veterans.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Dan Dobogai: Phenomenal event, it looks like it was a great turn out,
a great crowd for the first year.
A tribute well run great volunteer help.
I thought it was a great event.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Lisa Dobogai: Our son Derek, Dan's brother,
attended Western Illinois University, from '99 and graduated in '03.
He was part of the ROTC program, he fall in love with Western,
he felt this was his home.
So, it uh... as parents you feel good about that.
In the first couple years, when... when kids go to college
they come home often because they still call home... home.
And after a while for Derek that slowly changed and it was like
yea...I'm going.. back home meaning, going back to Western.
So, that was good... he felt.. he felt good about that.
he had a sense of family and community here.
That was a good thing.
[Participants in 5K Run/walk race]
Biernbaum: From the bottom of my heart, I would love to thank all of the people
who helped out to make this such a tremendous event.
We had over 300 runners and raised near $10,000 dollars,
to support the Fallen Soldiers Scholarship Fund.
So, a warm thank you to all of you who assisted with that process.
We were very thankful that the families
were able to join us of the two fallen soldiers
we honor with this scholarship fund.
Coming to us all the way from Wisconsin and Iowa.
We were so appreciative of them participating in the race themselves.
So, thank you to everyone who helped organize it,
and we can't wait to do it again next year.
And most importantly, thank you for our veterans,
and their service to our country.
That's more important than this race could ever be,
but for everything that they do including
those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart,
and Western Illinois University, thanks you!
Western Illinois University Marching Band
Text: Western Illinois University Inaugural FALLEN SOLDIERS 5K Race/walk
Sponsored by WIU Foundation Vice President for Advancement & Public Services Brad Bainter
University Housing & Dining
Sodexo Campus Services
Inter-Hall Council
Engraving by Lin
Special Thanks
WIU ROTC Program, Colonel John Drew
WIU Veterans Resource Center Kathy Meyers
Inter Collegiate Athletics
Campus Recreation Judy Yeast, Connie Van ***, Suzanna Farner
University Relations Darcie Sinberger
Alumni Programs Amy Spelman
Visual Production Center
WESTEC
Event Coordinator Dana Biernbaum
Family Liason Mick Cumbie
Registration Holly Fecht
Taps Dr. John Copper
Benediction Lt. Commander Ron Pettigrew
National Anthem performed by Andrea Dunn
This has bee a production of
University Television a broadcast service of Western Illinois University
Director Mike Taylor
Associate Directors Mark Dial, Roger Kent, Michael Thompson
Associate Producers Quintin Parker, Ryan Seyers
Production Coordinator Phil Weiss
Office Manager Nancy Richbark
Graphics & Animation Todd Draeger, Nate Heidenreich
Engineers Stan Clayton, Rich Sample, Mark Twitchell
Copyright 2012 WIU