PFC Wise speaks wise words at Richland Memorial Day Service

Courtesy of Katie Phillips | News-Review

Memorial Day is an annual day of remembrance designated for all those who have died in service to the United States during peacetime and war. Richland Volunteers and the American Legion Post #504 Put together a Memorial Day service complete with speakers, music and more. This year did not disappoint as not only the fallen service members were honored but those Veterans still living as well. Each branch of the military has their own theme song and while each one is played, members of the community who served in that branch are asked to stand and be honored as well.

The keynote speaker this year was Private First Class (PFC) Zackerie Wise. He is the son of Douglas and Amber Wise and is also a recent graduate of Pekin High School. He joined the Iowa National Guard on January 27, 2021. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in the summer of 2021.

Wise started off his speech with a quote from the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest form of appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Wise went on to talk about what Memorial Day means to him. Each letter of the word Memorial had some sort of meaning for PFC Wise.

“M is for Magnificent: I think about all of the hard work each soldier has done for their country. They have done everything in their power to do their duty and their tasks. I think about all of the accomplishments they have made. The courage and the guts these soldiers have to spend the time away from their families and loved ones, not knowing if or when they will return.… that is the magnificent part

E is for Emotion: Emotion is one of the key things to being a soldier. Being a soldier is not all about doing a task and getting it done or killing and war, it’s about emotion. It’s the way that you take it that can make you a better soldier. It's about the strength and the willpower that your mind can take.

M is for Mission: Every single Veteran had a set of goals and they had to follow. A mission is a set of tasks they have to go through. They fought for the red, white and blue. That is what they have done for this amazing country to make sure that we can call this “home” and feel safe.

O is for Oath: When every soldier raises their right arm to the 90 degree angle they swear on an oath to do everything in their power to make this nation the land of the free and the home of the brave. The oath is a promise not only for their country, their branch, their family, but most importantly to themselves.

R is for Responsibility: The Peter Parker principle states, “With great power comes great responsibility,” Every soldier in every branch of the military has a responsibility not only to themselves, but to their loved ones as well.

I is for Improvement: Everyone starts somewhere. We all have to improve, mentally and physically.

A is for Active: Every single soldier has to be active every single second that they are awake. Every soldier is ready to go.

L is for Liberty: Liberty is everywhere we go. The Statue of Liberty in New York City is a symbol of peace and freedom.”

One of Wise’s reasons for joining the Iowa National Guard was his grandfather Boyd Reece who served in the Army in 1974. He hopes to become like him someday. In closing, Wise stated:

“This day is a very important day to me. We think, thank, love, adore, and remember the fallen soldiers or people who have impacted our soldiers. We will always have them in our hearts and never forget the people who help make our state and great nation the land of the free and the home of the brave.”