Denny Koesterer, a native of Freeburg who lives in Smithton, holds the Order of St. Sebastian Award that he received at the Catholic War Veterans National Convention in August. Koesterer was one of just three recipients (David Wilhelm photo).
By David Wilhelm
Messenger Editor
Denny Koesterer didn’t understand what was happening when he was summoned to the front of the room.
The Freeburg native and resident of Smithton was attending the July meeting of the Butz-Jobe Catholic War Veterans Post 370, south of Belleville. The U.S. Army veteran figured it was business as usual.
Anything but that, as it turned out. Post Commander John Mueller had some news.
Mueller announced to Koesterer and other members that Koesterer had won an Order of St. Sebastian Award, a national honor bestowed each year on just three individuals.
The award recognizes “high stature as a humanitarian and undaunted service to God, country and home.”
Koesterer, 73, was overwhelmed.
“I was shocked because I didn’t know that award existed,” said Koesterer, who soon began researching it. “I was like, ‘Holy cow!’” he said. “It was awesome. It floored me.”
Koesterer and Mueller traveled to New York, and Koesterer received a plaque and a medal Aug. 7 at the Catholic War Veterans National Convention.
Mueller, a former U.S. Marine, said Koesterer was richly deserving.
“Denny is one of those people that comes here, and if there’s something to do, he does it,” Mueller said. “His biggest contribution to us is he’s our restaurant chef. We’ve had several restaurateurs here over the last couple of years, and we haven’t had great success — for multiple reasons.
“So last year, actually about this time, we decided to open our own restaurant. We had always leased it out. That’s the biggest thing he does right now; he makes sure the restaurant runs smoothly.”
That’s only the beginning.
Koesterer, a helicopter mechanic when he was in the Army, also helps landscape Post grounds; repairs machinery; maintains the appearance of the inside of the Post; supervises restaurant staff; organizes and serves free lunches to veterans and first responders each Veterans Day; places American flags along cemetery roadsides and at gravesites each Memorial Day and Veterans Day; and has donated countless hours to improve the Hincke-Sense Home for Retired Priests in the Diocese of Belleville.
Koesterer’s priority always is serving his fellow veterans.
“What we do here is give back to the veterans,” he said. “That’s why I do what I’m doing here, because I think our veterans deserve more than what they get.
“But I’m not the only one. We have a great group of guys here.”
Koesterer’s wife of 42 years, Sue, is First Vice Commander of the Post 370 Auxiliary. Their daughter, Kelsey Rudy, is an active Auxiliary member, and son-in-law Andrew Rudy is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force. And earlier this year, Sue Koesterer’s mother, Rita Joyce, was recognized as the oldest living Auxiliary member at age 101.
Denny Koesterer credits his wife of 42 years for helping him get involved with Post 370 in 2019, following his retirement from Holten Meat in Sauget.
“My wife’s parents were lifetime members here,” Koesterer said. “We always came up here for family picnics. The place always seemed special. But I couldn’t do anything (to help) then because I was working.
“Without my wife, I wouldn’t be here. She’s the force behind me. I didn’t want to join; I didn’t want to do any of this stuff. She kept pushing. She lets me do my thing here, and a lot of stuff at home gets pushed to the side, which she’s fine with.”
Koesterer said his involvement at the Post was “a gradual process.”
“Seeing other people helping other people,” he said. “I think that kind of rubbed off on me. In the military, we did stuff to help other people. I thought that was (special). It’s a great thing when you can help somebody. I like to give whatever I can give — time, work, whatever it takes to help somebody or a group.
“I was one of the lucky ones. I came back in one piece and everything was fine. I didn’t see combat. But the guys that didn’t come back, or the guys that came back wounded, with problems …”
Koesterer’s favorite event is the luncheon served to veterans and first responders on Veterans Day. And he stresses that being a member of Post 370 isn’t a requirement. All are welcome.
“I think it’s one of the greatest things we do out here for veterans,” Koesterer said. “Veterans, first responders, families, everybody can come out and have a cup of chili and a hot dog and a free drink. Every year, it grows and grows and grows.”
About 100 people attended last year, Koesterer said.
The road to Koesterer receiving the St. Sebastian Award began with a nomination that was approved by late Fr. Stan Konieczny, who was the pastor at St. John the Baptist in Smithton.
Mueller then traveled to Springfield to receive the endorsement of the state commander. Once that was secured, the nomination was sent to national headquarters in New York.
“They have a panel that reviews all the applicants,” Mueller said. “In my conversations with the national Post commander, there are typically usually 15 or more applicants and only three awardees each year. This is the supreme award.”
Mueller and other Post 370 members intended to keep the process a secret to Koesterer, mainly to avoid Koesterer, a humble sort, from putting a kibosh on it.
Late in the process, Mueller called the national headquarters and was informed that Koesterer would receive the award. When Mueller inquired about what Post 370 should do next, national headquarters informed him that an email about his selection had been sent to Koesterer.
“I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, he doesn’t even know he was nominated,’” Mueller said. “So I called his wife and said, ‘Hey, try to intercept the mail because we want to surprise him.’”
It worked.
“I’m so thankful and appreciative of this,” Koesterer said. “I work with a great group of people.”
