Corbeille speaks at Brillion Memorial Day service

May 30, 2019

By David Nordby The Brillion News

BRILLION – Frenchy Corbeille, a retired 30-year member and captain of the Navy, served as the keynote speaker for Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony in Brillion.

Corbeille admitted that when event organizer Rebecca Rice asked him to be a speaker at Monday’s event, his first instinct was to say no.

“I’m not an inspirational speaker,” Corbeille said, sharing that it was a day to remember the countless number of people who have died while serving the United States.

With the speech, Corbeille pointed to the motto that is at the bottom of his emails he shares with many community members and at the bottom of his weekly column in The Brillion News: Freedom is not free.

“We have that, and we grew up with it and it’s just something we take for granted. We really shouldn’t; we’ve got to appreciate it,” Corbeille said.

Corbeille stated that every person who’s ever committed to serve America is a hero who made freedom possible.

“In my opinion, anyone who says, ‘I solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,’ are all heroes,” Corbeille said.

From his years in service, Corbeille accumulated many stories. He shared stories of those he witnessed lose their life in the line of duty.

“I don’t even know his name,” Corbeille said of one.

But he remembers them.

Years ago, Corbeille elected to enlist in the Navy, which was another tale that Corbeille shared on Monday.

On the somber holiday, Corbeille showed his wit and humor multiple times near the end of his speech by sharing sidebars from his personal life.

Please see the complete story in the May 30, 2019 edition of the Brillion News.