Along with Monmouth faculty member Robin Johnson, Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson (left) organized the November 11 panel discussion on campus. Also pictured are, from left, Robert Goad, Cheri Swanson, Ryan Bronaugh ('12), Rita Cross, Alfonso Mares ('12), Joe Switzer, Monmouth President Patricia Draves, and Andy Davis
MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS (November 12, 2025) — Before Tuesday evening's Veterans Day event at Monmouth College had even officially begun, there was a clear indicator the night would be special.
Ringed around the upper level of the Veterans Memorial Great Room in the college's Center for Science and Business were members of the Fighting Scots Marching Band. They played rousing renditions of patriotic songs, the drumbeats and trumpet blares resonating loudly in the confines of the packed space.
"If that rendition of the national anthem doesn't light a fire in your belly, I believe your wood is wet," said Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson, who emceed the event and, along with Monmouth faculty member Robin Johnson, helped bring it to fruition.
"It's one thing to read about history in a book," said Rep Swanson. "It's another thing to hear about it from the people who lived it."
That was certainly the case with Robert Goad of Galesburg, who announced during his time with the microphone that he was just a few days shy of his 100th birthday. The presence of one of the few World War II veterans still alive added to the high emotion and pride felt at the event.
"I'm one of the last World War vets that I know of," he said. "We're fading fast."
Born on November 20, 1925, Goad had just turned sixteen years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. A few years later, he found himself stationed in the Philippines, a witness to kamikaze attacks and of the announcement of submarines with undefined loyalty closing in on his hospital transport ship, where he served as a cook (thanks in large part to having worked "at a hamburger place" in Galesburg as a teenager).
Goad was relieved to return home to Galesburg and begin a career that spanned "48 years, six months, and 17 days" with the railroad, but he also realizes the importance of his service.
"A while back, I was asked, 'If you had the chance, would you do it over again?'" said Goad, who, following the ceremony, met and chatted with Monmouth alumnus Ralph Whiteman ('52), another veteran who was the youngster of their pair at 98. "I said, 'Yes, sir, I would."
Robert Goad, 99, and Ralph Whiteman, 98, chatted following the ceremony. Goad is a World War II veteran, and Whiteman, also a veteran, is a 1952 Monmouth graduate
Monmouth police chief Joe Switzer, whose son now serves in the Navy, also expressed that sentiment.
"I would do it again in a heartbeat," he said.
The panel also included Monmouth alumnus Ryan Bronaugh ('12) and current student Alfonso Mares ('28).
"I came here shellshocked, but this school welcomed me," said Bronaugh, who was a non-traditional student. He said his military service has taken him to 32 countries, in all. "I got to see a lot of the world, including more than 300,000 miles with the Marine Corps on the open sea."
Just the day before, the Marine Corps celebrated its 250th anniversary, a milestone mentioned by Patricia Draves in her opening remarks. The Monmouth president also commented on the values of leadership and teamwork that are an essential part of military service.
Mares said he chose Monmouth because of the opportunity to be involved in ROTC and also pursue his lifelong interest in history. There was a great deal of it present simply in the room, as the Veterans Memorial Great Room is home to plaques honoring the college's four alumni who've received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Under the words "Heroic Fighting Scots" are the brief stories of Civil War soldiers James Duncan and George Palmer, as well as cousins Bobby Dunlap ('42) and James Stockdale ('46).
All gave some, some gave all
Other veterans on the seven-member panel were Cheri Stanton, former commander of the Illinois American Legion and a teacher for 35 years in Monmouth elementary schools; and New Windsor police chief and Monmouth assistant football coach Andy Davis.
Said Davis of his military stint, which included tours in Afghanistan and Egypt, "You train your career to go to war. You're ready. As you see other people go off to war, you want to go, too."
Gold Star Mother Rita Cross, whose son, Kyle Wehrle, was killed in action in Iraq in 2005, also spoke.
"He was an excellent soldier," said Cross, who signed for him to start his military service. Wehrle was honored for his skills in field artillery. "I'm proud to know he was doing excellent at his job."
"I don't mean to correct you, but I'd say he was doing his job superior," said Rep Swanson, who was not only Wehrle's commanding officer, but Davis's and Switzer's, as well. "Kyle was my top gunner."
Rep Swanson said it was a hard experience to relay the news of Wehrle's death to Kyle's parents, but it was also an example of how "the military is a brotherhood. A loss like that affects you even more than if it was a family member sometimes."
"I still stay attached to his unit," said Cross, who lives in Galesburg. "They're still my kids, they're still my family. . . Soldiers like Kyle lost their lives, but we have our freedom today because of what they've done."
During the Q&A portion, a man asked why veterans are often reluctant to share their stories with non-vets.
"What's common is that when veterans get to be about 65, seventy years old, something will snap and they'll start to speak about it," said Rep Swanson, who serves as chairman of the Illinois House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
"And when they do start to talk, make sure you're recording it. It'll never be as good the second time as it is the first."
"My wife asks that question, too," said Switzer, who is not yet near the golden age. "I have a handful of combat stories, but those are mine for right now."
