A small group gathered Wednesday outside Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal to raise the American flag in honor of Veterans Day.
Dr. Robert Cavagnol, president of Carle Health’s Bloomington-Normal service area, led remarks at the event. Cavagnol, who stepped into the role in February, is a Navy veteran who served as an active-duty trauma surgeon during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Military service is really about sacrifice,” Cavagnol said. “Service members give up the comforts of their home to provide safety and security in foreign lands.”
Cavagnol said that sacrifice is why it’s important to spend a day in reflection.
“Veterans make such a sacrifice, their family’s sacrifice,” he said. “For the country to take a day and pause and reflect and really spend time honoring veterans, it’s extremely meaningful to all of us, and we greatly appreciate it.”
Almost 500 Carle Health team members across the system, including physicians, nurses, therapists and techs, are on active duty or have served in the military, Cavagnol said.
“It’s a testament to Carle’s commitment to recruiting and retaining veterans and supporting them in their careers after their military service,” he said.
Austen Bozarth, a business development supervisor at Carle Health and a sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard, opened the event with an 11-second moment of silence to reflect on those who served the country. Bozarth co-leads Carle MVP, a group for the health system’s military and veteran professionals, which planned the ceremony.
“Freedom is not free and the price can never truly be repaid,” Bozarth said. “The best thing we can do is pause, remember the price paid, reflect on the sacrifices, enjoy our freedoms, and live our lives with a sense of joy and appreciation for those who served our country in uniform.”
After a brief prayer led by a Carle spiritual care chaplain, the American Legion Post 635 Color Guard raised the flag above the hospital.
“Each and every year they show up and they make this event very special for us,” Bozarth said.
To thank the color guard, hospital staff presented its members with a plaque that has a photo of last year’s group and handwritten notes from Carle team members across the system.
Bozarth said the American Legion also supports Carle’s flag raisings in Peoria and Champaign.
“Let us never forget we are the home of the free because of the brave,” Cavagnol said. “Thank you to all our current and former members of the Armed Services for your sacrifice.”
