Honoring our fallen veterans

Title: Honoring our fallen veterans URL Source: https://duboiscountyfreepress.com/honoring-our-fallen-veterans/ Published Time: 2026-05-26T12:55:00+00:00 Markdown Content: The Dubois County Veterans Council hosted its Annual Memorial Day Observance on Saturday, May 23, 2026, on the Courthouse Square. During the ceremony, the family of Private Roman Steltenpohl, this year’s deceased veteran being honored, was presented with a special plaque and a wreath honoring his service. Steltenpohl joined the U.S. Army during World War II and took part in the D-Day landing. He was subsequently killed in action about a month later during heavy fighting. The service also honored all veterans who have passed since last year’s Memorial Day Service. Their names were read off and accompanied by a bell ceremony. The ceremony closed with a 21-Gun Salute and the playing of “Taps.” _Members of the Marine Corps League lowered the flags to half-staff at the beginning of Saturday’s ceremony._ _Honor Guard Member Charles Dupps saluted during the National Anthem at the opening of the annual ceremony._ _Standing tall for the National Anthem._ _Father Anthony Govind provided the opening and closing prayers for the ceremony._ _Rock Uebelhor saluted after placing a bouquet in memory of all the sailors lost at sea at the monument._ _The Honor Guard fired a 21-gun salute in recognition of deceased servicemembers._ _Roman Steltenpohl’s niece, Mary Lee Knies, was presented with a plaque honoring her uncle’s service and sacrifice._ _Mary Lee Knies and her brother, Roman Wendholt, carried the wreath to the monument during the Memorial Day ceremony._ _Bud Rasche rang the bell as the names of recently deceased Dubois County veterans were read off._ _Steve Stemle (middle) stood tall at the end of the ceremony as Taps was played. Mr. Stemle served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1971._ _Mary Lee shows the plaque and the shell casings from the 21-gun salute._ _Scott Hopf, a county employee, took time to set the flags around the reflecting pool after the ceremony concluded. The flags would remain in place through the holiday._