Lydia King Makes History for GHS Girls Wrestling

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  Geneseo High School junior Lydia King, left, recently reached 100th wrestling match wins.  She is photographed with GHS Wrestling Coach Carly Rusk. Photo by Garrett Newman

Lydia King made history at Geneseo High School when she reached her 100th win in the Girls’ Wrestling Quad Meet held Jan. 2 in the GHS gym.

   King, the daughter of David and Rachel King and a junior at GHS, said she was aware that match would be her 100th win after she won her first two matches earlier in the meet.

   She said, “As soon as I pinned the girl, I heard everyone cheering for me.  I saw my parents, teammates and coaches were very excited.”

   King’s interest in wrestling began when she was in eight grade and it was in her freshman year at GHS that Girls’ Wrestling became an official sport at the high school.

  She said she chose to be part of the girls’ wrestling team as a result of her brother having been on the wrestling team at GHS… “I chose this sport because of my brother.  (Owen King who graduated from GHS in 2025) I watched him wrestle since I was little, and as soon as I heard other girls were doing it in eighth grade, I knew that I needed to join!”

   She also plays softball.

   “Wrestling means so much to me,” King said.  “It has taught me so many lessons and has put me through hard things, but those hard things have changed my mindset completely. My wrestling coaches mean everything to me.  They stay with me even when I’m down.  They never give up on me and always push me forward.”

   When King was asked about wrestling being considered an “individual sport,” she agreed, but added, “But you and your teammates go through the same hard practices so when you accomplish something big, everyone knows and is excited for you.”

   Her favorite memory in wrestling thus far was “winning at State against a girl I lost to at Sectionals and being able to medal my first year at State.  Also, seeing my family cheer for me!”

She added, “Being the first Geneseo girl to reach 100 wins is a huge accomplishment, especially during my junior year.  I worked so hard for that moment and getting it at home was even more amazing because more people were able to some and cheer me and my team on.”

   King’s goals include winning at the State Wrestling Meets in her junior and senior years of high school “and to compete in college!”

SOME FUN QUESTIONS KING ANSWERED:

Any advice for young wrestlers? - King answered, “When you first join wrestling, don’t get discouraged, keep trying and working hard.  Sooner than later, you will be better than you thought and you will be winning more and more matches.”

Favorite food? – “My favorite food is definitely sweet potatoes!”

What are you looking forward to most after the wrestling season? - “I am looking forward to competing in freestyle over the summer and trying to qualify for Fargo!”  (King explained that “Fargo” is a “huge Freestyle Tournament in Fargo, ND, and you have to go to Freestyle State to qualify.”)

2025 GHS Fall Honor Roll

First Honor Roll - 3.50 to 5.40 GPA

Class of 2026

Harrison Air, Zara Andersen, Isabella Angelo, Natalie Aukee, Eliana Barickman, Zoey Baughn, Calvin Bell, Ethan Bell, Grady Bernahl, Christopher Berry, Greta Bolme, Grant Bomleny, Erin Bowers, Bryson Boxell, Ava Brewer, Aidan Bries, Reid Brodersen, Isabella Brooks, Brennan Brown, Aiden Brudos, Liberty Brumbaugh, Graysen Carlson, Jessica Cartwright, Jordan Cechowicz, Joei Christopherson, Mylee Clark, Brody Clementz, Liam Coleman, Jack Cooper, Jameson Coppejans, Erika Cotty, Samuel Curcuru, Anna Davis, Ava DeSplinter, Keira Disterhoft, Tyler Dowdal, Kaydee Eighmy, Quinnland Einfeldt, Cara Ettore, Perry Farley, Landon Favri, Jonathan Freadhoff, Taber Fulks, Anabella Goethals, Breckan Gomez, Cora Gorman, Dalten Grimes, Hayley Henry, Lucas Herstedt, Christopher Hill, Payton Hofer, Carter Holke, Jacob Holley, Alexandria Hull, Adam Johnson, Kameryn Keegan, Andrew Kelly, Erik Kelly, Owen Kelly, Charlotte Kroll, Brennan Lambin, Catherine Lehman, Karen Lester, Emma Loehr, Hannah Loehr, Tavion Mangin, Brock Marshall, Jackson McAvoy, Dawsyn McDonald, Hannah McGee, Cameron Melchert, Jackie Milem, Jaiden Minnaert, Janey Neumann, Wyatt Neumann, Gavin Nicholson, Isaac Nixon, Landon Nordstrom, Eliana Oaks, Reyhan Onder, Mahi Patel, Lucille Peters, Michael Peterson, Taylor Peterson, Landry Possin, Jordan Ramirez, Elizabeth Rapps, Madison Reade, Cy Sammons, Chase Sanders, Hayden Schaaf, Bee Scheider, Nina Schmedding, Mckinsey Sharp, Remy Sharpe, Leland Stickle, Hannah Stone, Tucker Tarkington, Paislee Tuggle, Jay VanHerzeele, Quinntyn VanHyfte, Callie VanKerrebroeck, Kwin VanKerrebroeck, Ashton Veloz, Cameron Walker, Kye Weinzierl, Madeline Wells, Kjerstin Wildemuth, Kathryn Wilson, Claire Yenor, Ryan Zeitler

Class of 2027

Alejandro Aleman, Elena Anderson, Keaton Ariano, Flynn Arnett, Alexandra Bagby, Mia Balensiefen, Jacob Berry, Eleanor Bertelsen, Annabelle Betcher, Nathan Billingsly, Erik Bjorkman, Grant Bjorkman, Taylor Boone, Ethan Brown, Isabella Brown, Lillian Brown, Jaydon Burrage, Grace Carlson, Kolby Causemaker, Callie Copeland, Evelyn Dahl, Sally-Ann DeBlieck, Aiden DeCap, Claire DeGrave, Carter Dickey, Alexandra Duncan, Remlee Dwyer, Leah Falk, Taefyl Freeman, Tyler Gerstel, Tyler Gross, Emily Haverback, Keely Henry, Cheyenne Hopkey, Megan Hursman, Maddox Jansen, Mckenna Johnson, Micah Johnson, Scarlyt Johnson, Trenton Kennedy, Matthew Kerschieter, Lydia King, Mckenzie Krug, Gannon Marckese, Aria Mayo-Bechtel, Jack Mickley, Madilyn Minnaert, Reese Minnaert, Dain Moens, Clarabelle Musser-VanHerzeele, Mark Nelms, Tyler Nelson, Lainey Norville, Esref Onder, Samuel Ortiz, Eli Palmer, Carson Peters, Viola Pettit, Carson Pratt, Maddison Rakestraw, Natalie Reisner, Dominic Ritter, Landon Rogers, Sydney Rosas, Nevaeh Rotz, Hayley Rubitsky, Brooklyn Ruby, Connor Runty, Ayla Schultz, Nyna Schweitzer, Brylee Sheffler, Brooke Shollenberger, Reid Simpson, Brooklyn Smith, Carson Smith, Ayame Stroh, Claire Swanson, Joseph Thoene, Jeel Vakharia, Jiya Vakharia, Kaden VanAntwerp, Emma Vandeveer, Delaney Vroman, Lucille Wachtel, Kendyl Wassenhove, Connor Webster, AvaLynn Westfall, Jayden Wexell, Alexis Williams, Robert Wolfe, Rebekah Zimmerman

Class of 2028

Raidyn Allison, Stella Allison, Claudia Angelo, Cyrus Babcock, Katherine Barickman, Landon Barnett, Layna Bassett, Luke Bedford, Lillian Bellagamba, Evan Bender, Tivya Bernier, Fritz Bolme, Braxton Boone, Kanon Boster, Alivia Brown, Jaylee Brudos, Rylan Carlson, Lydia Carton, Quinn Cherry, Taeton Chirchir, Ella Clementz, Cole Clifton, Ellah Clifton, Harrison Conley, Elijah Coppejans, Brayden Cox, Mallory Daniels, Evelyn DeBaene, Emilie DeCastecker, Madelyn DeJohn, Olivia DeSplinter, Isla Disterhoft, Sophia Doyle, Camryn Ebert, Megan Ehlert, Mason Emerick, Brycen Fahnestock, Andrew Feely, Phoenix Ferro-Heller, Jasmine Foss, Jackson Frank, Carter French, Gretchen Fuelling, Hannah Fuelling, Jacey Gehl, Gavin Gillespie, Lillian Gurney, Karlee Hankins, Kade Heilman, Kaylin Heller, Cole Henson, Skylar Hileman, Cameron Jansen, Austen Kane, Anabella Kelley, Penelope Kline, Lilah Klotz, Mayson Lambin, Cooper Largent, Isabella McConville, Raygen McKeag, Ian McShane, Addison McSparin, Catalina Meis, Faith Mierop, Jason Milem, Natalie Minnaert-Yocum, Ainsleigh Misfeldt, Keelie Mueller, Micah Nicke, Anastasia Pitsoulakis, Aleksie Possin, William Rankins, Macey Rosholm, Ida Rowold, Ella Schaaf, Meghan Scheider, Jaxson Seals, Ella Shannon, Alyssa Simpson, Stella Smith, Addison Snell, Sophia Snell, Sydney State, Addilyn Swan, Ella Taylor, Luca Turigliatti, Eden VanOpdorp, Patrick Versluis, Kailee Von Motz, Nicole Werling, Hannah Wildemuth, Sage Windisch, Peyton Woodruff

Class of 2029

Cole Anderson, Paisley Arnold, Avery Bagby, Jocelyn Bagby, Anna Berry, Daphne Bertelsen, Hannah Billingsly, Cullen Boone, Boston Brewer, Leila Bries, Peyton Brodie, Charlee Bruce, Annika Brumbaugh, Landen Burk, Helo Castro, Leah Cooper, Autumn Cunningham, Alexander Darnall, Gavin Davis, William Davis, Ellaina DeLoose, Henry Dwyer, Kyle Everett, Sawyer Forsythe, Landon French, Eleanor George, Maci Gorman, Hailey Griswold, Owen Harris, Karoline Hasson, Kenzi Hasson, Taylour Hein, Emma Hofer, Hunter Hoover, Ellie Jackson, Eli Johnston, Madison Kuethe, Faith Kuster, Zebin Lin, Chloe Mance, Liliana Marshall, Wyatt Mickley, Gibson Minard, Emma Minnaert, Tad Moore, Paul Nelms, Katrina Nerud, Suzanne Neumann, Mia O'Dell, Isabella Ong, Henry Pratt, Annie Reed, Payton Riffe, Eve Robb, Isaac Ropp, Cormac Round, Olivia Ruby, Jocelyn Russelburg, Novak Ryerson, Reese Schaaf, James Seals, Blazen Sellers, Chelsea Shamblin, Mark Shoemaker, Paige Sides, Benjamin Simosky, Kinley Smith, Jack Snook, Milla Stewart, Genevieve Talley, Ean Tank, Ethan Temperley, Garrett Tranel, Sophia Urquiza, Jaxson VanAntwerp, Ella Versluis, Khloe VonHolten, Charlize Wachtel, Lucy Walck, Molly Wannemacher, Ashlyn Werthmann, Lilly Wilshusen, Giana Wurslin, Levi Wyffels, Jett Znamenacek

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Second Honor Roll - 3.00 to 3.49 GPA

Class of 2026

Callen Apt, Lincoln Barnett, Bella Bailey, Jocelyn Cechowicz, Matthew Darnall, Margaret Elder, Addison Erickson, Boone Forsythe, Emily Hall, Bradley Hartman, Jarett Hasson, Grady Hull, Malaki Jackson, Alfredo Jimenez, AJ Juarez, Peyton Kies, Aisaiah Klick, Devan Lagaisse, Emma Massingill, Owen Maxwell, Aden McCann, Linclon Misfeldt, Eliana Nelson, Serina Nimrick, Shrey Patel, Meya Pollock, Jacob Ramsay, Annabelle Ropp, Mya Splear, Izabella Stewart, Evelyn Wendland, Emily Yackley

Class of 2027

Mackenzie Air, Lilliana Anderson, Nathaniel Boone, Payton Boone, Evan Brooks, Wyatt Bruce, Ian Catour, Phoenix Corlew, Louis Davidson, Andre Diediker, Ruby Efflandt, Jaxon Ernst, Madelyn Farnum, Izaac Gaines, Ethan Galloway, Logan Goodwin, Joseph Haser, Jakob Hodges, William Holley, Lambeau Janczak, Alexis Johnson, Jack Kreiss, Delaney Lagaisse, Noah Laughlin, Khyler McDowell, Jordyn Miller, Zackery Nanninga, Lauren Piquard, Sydney Rasmussen, Lillian Roodhouse, Jennifer Sanchez, Finnegan Schaad, Kie Smith, Molly Snyder, Easton Swan, Emerson Swan, Rolan Swanson, Vera Vincent, Landon Weimer, Justin Williams, Kylee Wisely

Class of 2028

Logan Betcher, Allison Boone, Mickayla Bowles, Makayla Bros, Nolan Burton, Sophie Carter, Greyson Claerhout, Hayden Damewood, Bryce Diehl, Jack Drouin, Kamee Eighmy, Zoe Friedline, Jack Gehling, James Hill, Dawson Hull, Annibelle Juarez, Anadiyah Karn, Noah Klick, Taylor Lohberg, Rayne Mangin, Grace McCallister, Alice Miller, Madison Morrison, Quin Nichols, Marlie Nowlin, Mollie Parr, Jonah Penca, Jadynn Pollard, Memphis Ramsey, Colin Roemer, Dylan Schneider, Brooklyn Schnowske, Titus Schweitzer, Emma Sebastian, Madelyn Sherman, Haylee Short, Maycie Sims, Kyla Strode, Cole Tully, Chase VanDeWoestyne, Kellen VanKerrebroeck, Jayden Wheaton, Olivia Yost

Class of 2029

Jocelyn Aguirre, Alex Balensiefen, Evan Beil, Callen Black, Jocelyn Calloway, Charleigh Campbell, Savannah Carlson, Ashlynn Chamberlain, Harrison Clark, Charley Courson, Zachary Davis, Christian Dawson, Davin DeBoef, Lilyonna Decker, Jacksen Doubet, Brenna Dykstra, Eli Egert, Chazz Eng, Elijah Erickson, Faroh Finch, Kane Fuelling, Emily Garcia, Bryce Gillespie, Ava Graham, Wesley Graham, Daegan Hansen, Lyla Henry, Emmett Hill, Easton Hornback, Cooper Hudson, Anthony Jackson, Owen Jacobi, Brynn Kinney, Andrew Kreps, Michael Lawson, Isabella Lewis, Kellan Miller, Ryder Painter, Jackson Parker, Faith Schaver, Emma Schroeder, Gage Steffes, Allison Tice, Grace Toney, Aiden Weishaar

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Food Pantry Meets Needs of Families for Thanksgiving

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Michael Sigwalt

 “What a great community to be part of!” were the words from Michael Sigwalt, director of the Geneseo-Atkinson Food Pantry, when asked how the current food shortage crisis and government shutdown has affected the pantry.

   Sigwalt added, “Geneseo is generous.”

  The GAFP served a record number of families in October of this year, (501 families in total), which Sigwalt said is a 17.6 percent increase over the previous record of 426 families, which was reached in Sept. 2025, and Sigwalt said the community stepped up to meet the increased need.

   “The 501 families served also is a 57.5 percent increase over the number of families served in October of 2024, which was 318. 

   “For all of fiscal year 2025, we’ve served an average of 371 families per month, which is a 60 percent increase over the families served in fiscal year 2024, which was 233.

  The included chart shows the progression of families served at the pantry since August of 2021.

   Sigwalt commented, “In response to the national news concerning Federal actions, or inactions, the people of the City of Geneseo have responded so incredibly favorably.  Because of their amazing generosity, we have not had our pantry shelves lacking of food!”

   Keeping the shelves stocked has also been the result of the pantry staff seeking new food sources and Sigwalt added, “We most certainly have been very busy exploring as many new food sources as possible.”

   He listed the sources:

  -Greater utilization of River Bend Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank resources.
  -An increase in purchased inventories.
  -Fabulous food drives throughout the community!
  -Incredible support form our area food retailers!

   “Because of the community’s incredible support, we have been able to provide some of our Thanksgiving food items for our guests, such as canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, corn bread mix, stuffing mix, and mashed potatoes.”

   The Thanksgiving food items did not include meat this year and Sigwalt said the reason being there were too many families and rising meat costs, and he added, ”Of course, if anyone would like to donate a ham or turkey, we would make it available for our friends,”

   Sigwalt answered my question of how the Geneseo -Atkinson Food Pantry been impacted by news reports with: ‘Yes, GAFP has most definitely been impacted by all the reports we’ve all heard in the news!  But the community’s response has been so phenomenal that we’ve been able to still provide needed for families in need.”

  He added that he does not know what to expect now that the government has opened – “We didn’t’ know what to expect when it was shut down!  But I’m certain, no matter what the current crisis might be, the citizens of Geneseo will help us help our neighbors!”

IN LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS

   “For Christmas, we’ll be doing something very similar to Thanksgiving, including many of the same items,” Sigwalt said.

   Those items include pumpkin pie filling, cranberry sauce, corn, green beans, crispy fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, corn bread mix, pie crust mix, sweet potatoes/yams, dried mashed potatoes, aluminum roasting pan.

   Donations of any of those items would be helpful and Sigwalt said the pantry is “always in need of cereal (hot or cold), baking items (mixes, flour, oils, sugar, etc.), condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise), canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc.); Hygiene, cleaning and paper products, (napkins, paper towels, wax paper, cling wrap, etc.) always are welcome.  We go through those quickly and our guests cannot purchase them with their SNAP benefits.”

Interview with Grover Cleveland’s Grandson Nov. 18 at Geneseo Library

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

  Ever wonder if you may be related to an American President?  Anyone having ancestors who lived in Colonial New England could be.  More information is available at a 2 p.m. program on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Geneseo Public Library when Geneseo native, Tim Pletkovich, will be interviewing George Cleveland, grandson of President Grover Cleveland.

   George Cleveland, grandson of the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, is a self-employed consultant living in rural Tamworth, N.H., and information from the Geneseo Library states, that “he bears an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather, who died in 1908.”

   Cleveland has spoken about the importance of a healthy history curriculum in middle and high schools around the country.  He is an advisor to the Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Foundation, and his passion for fundraising knows no bounds, having appeared in a calendar wearing only a hat.  (That calendar brought in $75,000 for nonprofits.) – According to information received from the library.

   Pletkovich grew up in Geneseo and spent more than 35 years as a secondary school teacher in New York and Illinois and worked as a baseball scout for the Chicago Cubs.  He recently returned to make Geneseo his home.

   He is the author of the book “Civil War Fathers:  Sons of the Civil War in World War II,” and is writing a book about presidential genealogy.  Pletkovich co-wrote “Nuns, Nazis, and Notre Dame:  Stores of the Great Depression, World War II and the Fighting Irish,” with Gerald A. O’Reilly.

   Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, served as president from 1885-1889.  The automobile and telephone were still new inventions when he occupied the White House, so the fact that he has a living grandson makes George a bit of a curiosity.  Grover lost the election to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, but was elected again, serving from 1893 to 1897.  He died in 1908.

   It wasn’t until the 1990’s that George Cleveland decided to dig deeper into his grandfather’s background and performed historical interpretation and character impersonations of his grandfather and other historical figures.

  Information from Pletkovich received by the library states: “It’s a matter of sex and math because Grover was almost 25 years older than my grandmother when they were married,” he (George Cleveland) said.  “It’s ridiculous to have somebody who’s still alive whose grandfather was born in 1837.  You know, my father was born in 1897.  And then he met and married my mother in 1943 when she was teaching his children from his first marriage.  So, we basically dropped two whole generations.”

   “He (Grover) believed that you shouldn’t benefit from public service,” said Cleveland of his grandfather. “And, as a result, when he got out of office, there were a lot of companies that wanted him to come on their boards…but he turned all those offers down because a public office is a public trust.”

Cleveland and Pletkovich will be speaking at a breakfast at The Central Schoolhouse Inn in Geneseo from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18.  Tickets are $60 per person and reservations are necessary.  For more information, or to make a reservation, call Pletkovich at 309-253-5377.

Operation Christmas Child 2025 Packing Parties Nov. 14-15

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Shelly Emerick, Operation Christmas Child Church Relations Team Member, said there is still a need for additional shoeboxes to be filled, and A need for volunteers to help at the Shoebox Packing Parties planned for Nov. 14-15 at the South Campus of Kingswood Church.   Photo by Claudia Loucks

The Packing Party dates are set and the Shoebox Drop-Off dates are in place, but there are still many empty shoeboxes to be filled for the Operation Christmas Child outreach.

   Team members are aware that the Christmas season is drawing near and there is a concern of making sure the OCC shoeboxes get to disadvantaged children worldwide. 

   Empty shoeboxes are available from Shelly Emerick, OCC church-relations team member, by contacting her at 309-945-3700.   Anyone interested in filling a shoebox may also use an empty shoebox of their own. 

SHOEBOX PACKING PARTY TIMES:

   Shoebox packing parties will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at Kingswood Church, south campus, 224 North State St., Geneseo.  Volunteers who help with packing can come and go as their schedules allow.

SHOEBOX DROP-OFF DATES AT GENESEO EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, 914 NORTH CHICAGO ST., GENESEO

  -Monday, Nov. 17, Tuesday, Nov. 18, – 2 to 4 p.m.
  -Wednesday, Nov. 19, – 4 to 6 p.m.
  -Thursday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 21, - 2 to 4 p.m.
  -Saturday, Nov. 22, - 10 a.m. to noon.
  -Sunday, Nov. 23, - 2 to 4 p.m.
  -Monday, Nov. 24, - 9 to 11 a.m.

   For those not able to attend a packing party, but who still want to help, she said, “Packing a shoebox can be done by anyone and the first step is to decide to pack for a boy or a girl in age groups 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.  It’s best to begin with a “wow” item such as a doll, stuffed animal, deflated soccer ball with a pump, toy cars or trucks.  It is important to include school supplies and hygiene items such as a washcloth, comb, brush, toothbrush - but toothpaste is not allowed.”

   Clothing or shoes also can be included in the shoebox as well as fun toys, but no food, candy, liquids or soap. 

   Each shoebox contains a copy of “The Greatest Gift” booklet, a storybook that shares the message of salvation, written in the language of the child receiving the shoebox.

   Items that cannot be included in the shoeboxes are anything glass, liquid, camouflage or war-related, or any type of food.

   Emerick said there also is still a need for monetary donations to help pay the $10 cost of shipping each shoebox.  Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the office of Emerick Pest Control, 361 JF Edwards Dr., Geneseo, IL 61254.   Donations also can be left or mailed to Kingswood Church, 302 North State St., Geneseo, IL 61254.

   Operation Christmas Child is an outreach of Samaritan Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization.   The non-profit organization specializes in meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, disease and natural disaster, in order to demonstrate God’s love and share the Gospel.

   The ministry, which is in its 32nd year, uses the shoebox as a tool to open the door for the Gospel and make disciples of all tribes, tongues and nations.  OCC started in the United Kingdom in 1990 as an outreach to Romanian Orphans and OCC began in North America in 1993. 

Tony Simon Remembers His Honor Flight

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

 Those of us fortunate enough to know Roy (Tony) Simon know for certain that he is a dedicated patriotic guy.  As I thought about what sort of story to write in observance of 2025 Veterans Day, I realized how little I know about the Honor Flights that transport our military veterans on one-day trips to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials, and I chose to interview Tony Simon to learn more.

  Lt. Col. Roy (Tony) Simon, Geneseo, is photographed at the Vietnam Memorial in Geneseo City Park, wearing the jacket and cap he received when he was a passenger on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Photo byClaudia Loucks

   Lt. Col. Roy (Tony) Simon made a career of the Air Force and during his years of service, volunteered for special operations duty combat in Vietnam.

   He was aboard Honor Flight #52 that departed from the Quad City International Airport early in the morning of April 12, 2022, and landed at Reagan International Airport, Washington, D.C., with approximately 80 veterans and about the same number of guardians.

   (Guardians on Honor Flights are volunteer escorts, typically between 18 and 72 years old, who are physically able to assist veterans for the entire day's trip. Their role is to ensure the veteran's safety, comfort, and a memorable experience, which includes pushing wheelchairs, assisting with boarding, and helping with meals.

   Simon said several sources of media, including television radio, newspapers, etc., advertise early the dates of details of the upcoming Honor Flight, generally once per year.  Applications are made available to those wishing to participate.  There is no cost for the veteran, however, guardians must pay a fee.  The remainder of the cost is funded by local organizations, and “in our case, I believe an organization form Galva, the Back Roads Music Festival, funded Flight #52.”

   As a military pilot, Simon recalled landing at the D.C. Airport many years ago, in addition to many trips to the area made by automobile with his family.

   The veterans making up Honor Flight #52 spent the day visiting museums, memorials, monuments and the veterans’ cemetery.

   What made the trip even more special for Simon was that his son, Tony Jr., came from San Antonio, Texas, came to serve as his dad’s guardian….”We discovered there was one veteran in a wheel chair who did not have a guardian, Simon said.  “Since I did not require any special assistance and was able to maneuver on my own, my son volunteered to act as the disabled veteran’s guardian.  I was so proud of him for doing the right thing.”

   “We visited all the monuments and memorials, but were disappointed that we did not have the time to visit the Space Museum,” he said.  “We were late in departing Moline and were not able to visit everything as scheduled.”

   Simon commented that everything about the trip was “a highlight, but there are two things that really stood out.  There was a huge crowd as we departed and entered the airport at Reagan.  These people, more than likely, did not know a soul on our flight but showed up in droves to clap, cheer us on and sing songs.”

   He shared another highlight that he said “brought a tear to my eye was a rather large group of very young boys and girls belting out patriotic songs.  It was a sight to behold!  There was even a good size crowd of people as we departed on the bus to take up to the aircraft”

   Another highlight, he said, was the group’s arrival at the Quad City Airport in Moline at the end of the day.

  A book of photographs of her dad’s experience on the Honor Flight was put together by Simon’s daughter, Lori Rowe, and includes a photo of Simon and his son, Tony Jr., who was his dad’s guardian on the Honor Flight. Photo by Claudia Loucks

   “I couldn’t believe the crowd of people gathered there to welcome us home.  What made it even more unbelievable was the hour of the night.  Our approximate arrival time was 10:30 p.m., but I think it was closer to 11 p.m., if not later.  I’m told these crowds appear at every Honor Flight arrival.”

   He added, “I’m heartened by the support our veterans receive from the local folks.”

   One of the questions I asked Lt. Col. Simon was his feelings about freedom in the USA and the American flag.

   He responded, “As you know I’m a rather patriotic guy.  I love my country and the beautiful American flag that represents it.  I fly my flag on a pole outside my front door every day to remind me how lucky I am to be an American.  I wear my American flag pin when appropriate and I wear it proudly.  I volunteered for combat duty in Vietnam because I felt it my duty to do my part to protect my family, my loved ones, my fellow Americans and my country; I would do it again without question.  We would not be free Americans had it not been for the terrible sacrifice of our millions of veterans, living and dead.  We cannot and must not ever forget what many of them have suffered.”

   “I will never forget the experience of having participated in the Honor Flight,” he said.  “It continues to remind me that most Americans are thankful for what our veterans represent and are not shy when it comes to express those thanks and gratitude.  I highly recommend that any and all veterans participate in an Honor Flight in possible.” 

TONY SIMON AND THE MILITARY

   Before enlisting in the Air Force, Simon said he had never been in an airplane.

   It was while he was in basic training when Simon applied for, and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program.  He completed basic and began pilot and officer training in the Air Force Aviation Cadet program.  He trained in small single aircraft as well as World War II B-25’s and B-29’s, and graduated from the program in January of 1956.

   He and his wife, Ginny, were married two days after Simon received his wings and 2nd Lieutenant Commission.  He was given a choice of assignments in either fighter aircraft or multi-engine transports.

   “I chose multi-engine primarily because I thought this would give me a better chance of seeing the world,” he said.  “We were transferred to our first permanent assignment in the state of Washington.”

   Simon said he flew C-124 Globemasters, the largest transport of its time, at assignments in Washington, Hawaii, Delaware and Oklahoma for the next 10 years.

   “As pilots, we were qualified to fly anywhere in the world at any time,” he said.  “In 1966, I was selected to instruct other pilots in a new jet transport, the C-141 Starlifter, at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma.  At Altus, I was an instructor and flight examiner for three years in the C-141.”

   Simon recalled numerous memorable missions during his years in transports, including flights to northern Greenland, just 400 miles south of the North Pole; a mission through the restricted corridors in Germany to Berlin; missions to Africa, South America, Australia, Iceland, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Canada, Alaska, numerous islands in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, “and more.”

   “I have experienced on-board fires, hydraulic leaks, oil leaks, fuel leaks, lightning strikes, multiple systems failures, landing gear failures, communications failures, minimum weather conditions, flights through thunderstorms, extreme icing conditions and, of course, engine failures,” he said.  “Single engine failures on a mission were common.  I very vividly remember a double engine failure, two engines on the same side of a four-engine aircraft.”

  “The ultimate heart-thumper was a nighttime bailout of my 13 crew members in the South China Sea.,” Simon said.

   In late 1971, Simon volunteered for Special Operations combat duty in Gunship aircraft in Vietnam. 

   “After stateside training in the gunship, a converted transport aircraft with six side-firing Vulcan rotating barrel 20 mm and 7.62 mm guns and carrying thousands of rounds of ammunition, I first attended an ocean survival course and a jungle survival course in the Philippines before arriving in Vietnam,” he said.  “For the next eight months, I flew 120-night combat missions in Vietnam and Laos, where nightly anti-aircraft fire and heat seeking missiles were a constant threat.  As the end of the war approached in 1972, since I was the Wing Chief Standardization and Flight Examiner Pilot for the gunship group, I was selected to remain at DaNang Air Base in South Vietnam to train the South Vietnamese Air Force pilots in the operation of the gunship.  All the gunships were ultimately transferred to the South Vietnamese Air Force.”

   After the Vietnam War, Simon was transferred to Kansas, then to North Carolina as Commander of Mobile Aerial Port Squadron, made up of about 300 officers and enlisted men, including a contingent of Air Force Combat Controllers. 

  “These were intensely trained and highly qualified special forces airborne troops whose sole purpose was to parachute into forward landing and drop zones to secure them and set up communications for follow-on Army Airborne troop drop missions,” he said. 

   Simon said because he enlisted in the Air Force before finishing his college education, he realized early in his career that he needed to continue his education.  He took night classes for the next several years and after a six-month residency, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Nebraska in 1970.  He continued his studies and earned a master’s degree in business management in 1977.  During this same time, Simon also completed Air Force courses at the Squadron Officers School, the Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College.

   After a short joint tour with the Army in New Jersey, Simon was transferred to Scott Air Force Base in Illinois near St. Louis as Chief of the Mobile Aerial Port Division at the Military Airlift Command Headquarters.

   He retired in 1978 as Lt. Colonel Simon with more than 10,000 flying hours.

   His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

   He and his wife Ginny have a son, Tony Jr., who served as a medical technician in the Air Force for 24 years and before his retirement, he was a medical technician at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas; one daughter, Lori Rowe, Davenport, and four granddaughters, two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

Seth Ernst Soccer Slam Tournament Registration Begins Nov. 1

By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

   Seth Ernst loved playing soccer and his parents, Dave and Betty Ernst, were always on the sidelines at their son’s games.

   That was when he was on the playing field. Their son was a sophomore at Geneseo High School when he and two classmates died from injuries incurred in a car accident on Oct. 15, 2000.

Plans are in place for the 19th Annual Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam at the Geneseo Foundation Athletic Center (GFAC).  Registration opens online Nov. 1.  Members of the Ernst family in the photograph are encouraging teams to participate in the Soccer Slam, and they are, in front, Noah Stralow, Seth Stralow, Cora Stralow, Luke Stralow, Drake VerStraete, Will VerStraete; in back, Nathan Stralow, Erica (Ernst) Stralow, Dave Ernst, Betty Ernst, Megan (Ernst) VerStraete and Shane VerS traete.  Registration for the tournament, beginning Nov. 1, is available at www.sethernstsoccerslam.org.  Anyone with questions is asked to email soccer@sethernstsoccerslam.org or call Jill DePauw, tournament director, at 309-945-2696.  The tournament benefits Geneseo High School Soccer Boosters, Geneseo Soccer Club and Geneseo Rec Soccer.  Contributed Photo

   Generous financial contributions were made to the Ernst family in memory of Seth, and the couple chose to seek an avenue to keep their son’s memory alive.
    The Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam was organized in 2007 and continues today, with the 19th annual tournament set for Jan. 30-Feb. 1 for ages 11-14/15 Boys and Girls along with Geneseo High School students in grades 9-12.  U14/15 players may not be in high school. 

   The second weekend of the Tournament is Feb. 27-March 1 for ages 6/7 – 10 Boys and Girls and U2Old.  The U2Old Division is for Geneseo School District residents, alumni, and SEMSS coaches, along with one guest player.   

    Special guests from Socialization, Training, Rehabilitation, Independence, Vocation and Education (S.T.R.I.V.E.) Rehabilitation Center in Prophetstown, will play a scrimmage against local heroes at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.

   The Seth Ernst Memorial Soccer Slam has supported STRIVE for many years by donating money to purchase handicapped running carts, special rock-climbing equipment, basketball supplies and more to assist the valuable organization.

   A live and online auction, conducted by Stenzel Auction Service, will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, and again n Feb. 28 at the GFAC.  Anyone interested in donating a “unique” item for either of the Saturday auction dates, is asked to contact Betty Ernst at 309-714-1805.

   Representatives from Whimsy Pixie Paint will return for the ninth year to provide face painting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1. 

   A new feature last year in the concession stand also will return – grilled chops, brats and hot dogs.

   Aside from financially supporting Geneseo Rec Soccer, Geneseo Soccer Club and Geneseo High School Soccer Boosters, at least four (4) $1,000 scholarships are given to two Geneseo High School senior boys and two senior girls who have played soccer for at least three years.  Applications for the scholarships are available on the Geneseo High School counseling page.  

   Dave and Betty Ernst came up with the idea of the soccer tournament in their son’s memory and Mr. Ernst said, “It took some time for us to come up with the tournament idea.  We wanted to have something that would be ongoing to keep Seth’s memory alive, and we wanted to have something that would benefit youth in Geneseo and the surrounding area.”

   The couple met with people from the Geneseo Soccer Club along with members of the Geneseo High School Soccer Boosters.

   “It was Greg Ogle who first suggested the tournament idea,” Mrs. Ernst said.  “The people who have helped with this tournament since its beginning have done a great job and they continue to help each year.”

   The tournament became so popular that today it encompasses numerous ages.

     “We added the U2Old Division and the UWay2Old Division, because we wanted Seth’s friends who are out of high school to be able to come home and play soccer,” Mr. Ernst said. 

     Last year there were 128 teams involved in the tournament.

   “Seth loved kids, loved to babysit and he loved to play soccer,” Mrs. Ernst said.  “He was in youth soccer when he was five.  I know Seth is proud of what the Geneseo soccer community has done.”

   “Without faith, you don’t get through a loss like this,” Mr. Ernst said.  “When we lost Seth, a friend said to us, ‘Isn’t it great to believe,’ and another said, ‘We’ll get to see him before we know it.’… We know where he is.”

   On the day of the accident Mr. Ernst recalled his church (Grace United Church) pastor, the late Rev. Ron Webb, being at the Ernst home and commenting, “We can’t do anything about what happened, but we sure can do a lot about the future.’…The loss of Seth has taught us to enjoy each day and the people around us.”  

   Mr. Ernst said he and his wife plan to continue presenting awards at the Seth Ernst Memorial Slam “even when we are 90.”

   The awards, too, are another unique aspect of the Soccer Slam. Sportsmanship pins are given to each coach at the start of every game.  They then present the pin to one player on the opposing team who best exemplified sportsmanship during that game. The main focus of this tourney has always been sportsmanship and again this year a special award will be presented to one team each day rated as the best team with overall sportsmanship.  The referees and scorekeepers rate each team, their coaches, and fans after every game.

    “Our tournament is unique in the fact that the biggest award a team can earn is not for first place, it’s for sportsmanship” Betty. Ernst said.

   “We’ve had amazing support from local businesses,” she added.  “The tournament utilizes a sound system for both weekends, thanks to Butch Bos.  In the concession stand, there is a 50-inch television for viewing GoPro video from games, double –sided scoreboards on pedestals for better viewing of the time and score.”

    Mr. Ernst said, “This tournament would not be possible without hundreds of sponsors, the support of the Geneseo School District, and all of the amazing volunteers from Geneseo Rec Soccer, Geneseo Soccer Club and Geneseo High School Soccer Boosters.”  

   Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or a volunteer for the tournament, is asked email soccer@sethernstsoccerslam.org.  

   “Even though the tournament is a bittersweet time for our family, we know God has blessed us with this wonderful event,” Mrs. Ernst said.