Service and sacrifice: On Veterans Day and every day, Heidelberg remembers

Heidelberg classmates Fred Wookey and Sondra Gerhardt Libman, both ’67, lost their classmate, Marine 2nd Lieutenant James L. “Jim” Tangeman, when he stepped on a land mine in Vietnam just a year after they graduated.

On Veterans Day, Fred, Sondra, a host of ’67 classmates and his alma mater let Jim Tangeman and his family know that his service and ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten.

As part of Heidelberg’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony, the Tangeman Veterans Memorial on campus was unveiled and dedicated in memory of Jim “and all of the Heidelberg University men and women who served in the Armed Forces so that we can live free.” He is believed to be the only Heidelberg alumnus to have been killed in Vietnam.

The dedication, with remarks from Fred, was a special moment for Heidelberg as well as two of Jim Tangeman’s three sisters, JoAnn and Barbara and niece Barbara, who traveled to attend.

’Berg President Rob Huntington praised Fred and Sondra for having the inspiration to create the memorial for Heidelberg’s campus and for “their determination for staying on task and motivating others” to get involved.

Representing his Class of ’67, Fred said, “We remember Jim because he paid the ultimate price in ensuring our freedom many years ago. … and all Heidelberg alumni who have served and willingly took on endless hardships and fears so we could live in peace.”

Fred shared recollections of Jim Tangeman’s basketball prowess that instilled fear into opponents, including one memorable last-second, half-court shot to beat Baldwin Wallace.

To those honored on the new veterans memorial, he offered these words: “You have helped to make the world a better place with your commitment, dedication and sacrifice. We live in the greatest country in the world. Thank you for keeping it that way.”

Heidelberg honors all veterans

Heidelberg’s annual ceremony, co-sponsored this year by Student Senate, the Student Military Support Alliance and Parkhurst Dining with support from Ashley Helmstetter and the Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations Office, drew its largest crowd ever at about 200. Many students were joined by staff, faculty, community members and veterans for the ceremony. Together, we honored veterans with words of gratitude and music, the Presentation of Colors and a Volley of Three by the United Veterans Council, and a special keynote address by Trustee and alumnus Jaimie Orr ’81, who spent 24 years as a U.S. Navy Judge Advocate, retiring with the rank of Commander.

In his remarks, Jaimie also recognized the memory and legacy of Jim Tangeman, who “chose to answer the call when his country needed him.”

Jaimie and Jim share a brotherhood in Nu Sigma Alpha – the Heids. “I never knew Jim except through the Heids,” Jaimie said. “But I know he strived to excel in athletics and academics.”

When Jim decided to join the Marines, it certainly had to be a difficult decision, so why go, Jaimie asked rhetorically. “The answer Jim Tangeman would have given us if he were here today … ‘If not me, then who?’”

Jaimie also paid tribute to others who answered the call: first responders, medical professionals, those working in international aid and foreign service, to name a few. All too often, the price paid was the loss of life, but those among us also often pay a price “with injuries we can see and those we cannot.”

These individuals, he added, suffer for a cause for which they willingly sacrifice. “Some conflicts are unwillable. Some pain is unavoidable. Yet, we serve because we must.”

He closed with the famous words from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address: “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that those from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”

A ceremony to remember

In his opening remarks, Rob shared a history of Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day in commemoration of the end of World War I. In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all military veterans.

“We have deep respect those who have served and are serving in defense of our values,” Rob shared. “We express our profound gratitude for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

Heidelberg’s ceremony included the singing of the National Anthem by senior Jacob Reuter and Lift Every Voice and Sing by senior Zaria Keys. In addition to the previous remarks, the ceremony concluded with a prayer from Student Senate Vice President Taylor Ratliff and closing remarks and thank-yous from senior ROTC member Michael Dalton. Student Senator Ethan Rieman also played a key role in planning the event.

Another reason to celebrate

As Rob noted, in addition to celebrating Veterans Day and dedicating the new memorial, the campus community also paused to remember this day – November 11, 1850 – when the Revs. Jeremiah and Reuben Good and five others founded Heidelberg College.

“So, Happy 174th birthday to Heidelberg today too,” he said.