Silver wings upon their chest,
These are men, America's best
-- Sgt. Barry Sadler, "Ballad of the Green Berets," 1966.

By STEVE EIGHINGER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Wednesday was an emotional day for Jay Schaefer.

After spending 15 months in Iraq earlier this decade, the retired 29-year veteran of the Illinois National Guard was occasionally forced to stop and collect his thoughts during an address inside Lippincott Hall on the grounds of the Illinois Veterans Home.

Schaefer's speech, with his voice cracking noticeably several times, brought a Veterans Day crowd to its feet, some with noticeable tear-stained cheeks.

Schaefer had been asked a few years ago to fill the keynote speaker's in the same fashion he did Wednesday, but he declined at that time because he "was not ready" to stand in front such a turnout.

On this day, the native of Quincy and former Adams County Board member was ready and his message was simple, direct and charged with a quiet passion.

"What an honor ...," said Schaefer about being asked to speak to the crowd of about 250, which was dominated by veterans and their families. "It is a pleasure to be on these grounds."

Schaefer made it a point -- more than once -- to remind those who were old enough to know and those young enough to be unaware that all of the rites and freedoms Americans cherish have been made possible by the sacrifices of veterans.

"American veterans have -- and will continue -- to stand ready to protect our country and what it stands for," he said. "Some have given the ultimate sacrifice for what we now take for granted each day."

Schaefer served in three different Guard units during his career and was deployed to Iraq in 2006 as part of the 168-person 1844th Transportation Company. The company was under daily mortar fire while there, assisting with the rescue and salvage of U.S. Army vehicles that had been bombed.

"It was a hot, dirty ... and tough job for 15 months," he said.

Schaefer's voice began to crack when telling of the day the 1844th returned home, when his feet again touched American soil.

" ... And all 168 solders returned home safely," he said.

While Schaefer spoke, the crowd sat in a quiet reverence, even groups of elementary-aged school children.

"This day, Veterans Day, is not just for the veterans," he said. "It is also for their families."

Schaefer encouraged all who heard his message to seek out a veteran.

"Just say thank you to them, for their sacrifice," he said. "Just say ... thank you. They put their country and God before themselves."

Among the other highlights of the program were a donation from the Lugnuts Car Club and a presentation from Quincy Notre Dame High School.

The Lugnuts presented a check for $6,500 to Veterans Activity Fund at the home. The money was raised during a September car show. The club has been holding the fundraiser for 10 years.

QND band director Pam potter presented a collection of more than 400 thank-you notes to veterans from students at the high school.

Potter also directed the QND band, which played numerous patriotic offerings, including "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood and the individual songs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

"It is an honor for us to be here each year," Potter said.

Adjutant John Wingerter served as master of ceremonies. The Rev. John Adams, Protestant chaplain at the home, provided the invocation and benediction, and the Lester Hammond Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association posted and retired the colors.

-- seighinger@whig.com/221-3377