Resiliency and belonging resonates with Sauk Valley veterans

STERLING – Resiliency and belonging.

In a Veterans Day address that was at times personal, U.S. Army Capt. Taylor J-Beebe Cox spoke about the challenges and the reward of military service, and the hope that it yet instills in her.

“Every day I put on my uniform and lace up my boots, I see things that make me proceed,” she said.

About 100 people attended the ceremonies held at Sterling High School’s Centennial Auditorium. An observance also was held Thursday at Dixon’s Veterans Memorial Park. Visitors braved temperatures in the 40s on a blustery, wet morning.

David Hage, a captain with the U.S. Army Reserve Corps of Engineers, spoke of his deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute by the Dixon Area Detachment of the Marine Corps League, and Dixon American Legion Post 12 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 540 provided the honor guard.

Sterling held its ceremony indoors, including a 21-gun salute delivered from the wings of the auditorium. The Sterling observance included the playing of “America the Beautiful” by the Sterling High School Orchestra, comments by American Legion Post 296′s Mike Wolber and commander Susan Voss, invocation by post chaplain Gordon Harris and appeals by the auxiliary’s Cindy Robnett and Sons of the Legion’s Jerry Beranek. The Civil Air Patrol’s Marie Shaw gave the Pledge of Allegiance and Ocean Ramirez played taps.

Ceremony organizers recognized World War II veteran Manuel Garcia while highlighting the importance of veterans availing themselves of services in the realm of mental health.

Cox was the featured speaker and is the transportation account code manager for the 2nd Destination Transportation unit with Army Sustainment Command at the Rock Island Arsenal, which are responsible for logistics. She said that in the past year, it has been difficult for individuals in uniform because of the shared burden of service during the pandemic, the implications of the Fort Hood Independent Review and the circumstances surrounding the troop pullout from Afghanistan.

However, she also highlighted gains her company made in tackling problems such as sexual assault and how the Army has, in her experience, represented the U.S. abroad with compassion and gratitude. The demands of her own command stressed what she called the importance of showing “what right looked like” as members of her own company learned and grew.

In an interview after the ceremony, Cox spoke of her role in South Korea, a deployment that had wartime aspects because of the pandemic.

“A lot of my soldiers are away from their families. COVID-19 made it extremely difficult. They had to go straight from basic training and not have that opportunity to go home before they were shipped to Korea for a year,” she said.

She said that partners in the local community were key. Koreans “took them in as Mom and Dad to our younger soldiers. The Koreans would cook for them and bring them into the houses, definitely a family feel.”

Cox’s recounting hit home with several veterans in the audience, who came forward after the ceremony to express their thanks and share private comments.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Cox said after seeing the gathering of veterans from conflicts since World War II, adding that resiliency marking their service through hardships more difficult than she can imagine remains a core part of the military.

“It is what has brought us back, time and time again,” Cox said.

Although she touched on the significance of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the sadness associated with that, she said the feeling of national unity that followed persists within the service.

“What has kept me going, from the soldiers I lead to the friends I’ve made in uniform, is that same thing,” she said. “What I love about the Army … everyone there treats you like it is still September 12th.”

Alex Paschal contributed to this article.

Editor’s note: This article was update from its initial version to correct a reference to the Marine Corps League.

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The honor guards form the Dixon American Legion and VFW stand at attention Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 while recognizing Veterans Day. The ceremony was held in Veterans Memorial Park with David Hage serving as the keynote speaker. Hage is a captain with the US Army Reserve Corps of Engineers. (Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@shawmedia.com)

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U.S. Army Capt. Taylor J-Beebe Cox, 29, with Army Sustainment Command, was the keynote speaker for the Veterans Day ceremony held Friday, Nov. 11, 2021, at Sterling High School Centennial Auditorium. (Troy Taylor)