ALTON - Following a ceremony to honor local World War II veteran Robert Ryan last month, a filmmaker has created a video to highlight Ryan’s contributions to the area. On April 23, 2025, Marquette Catholic High School and Jostens presented the 101-year-old Ryan with a new class ring , replacing his original ring that he traded for a can of sardines while he was a prisoner of war in Germany. Michael Gebben, working with Route 3 Films, documented the ceremony to showcase Ryan’s grit and grace. “It was an electric, super special, emotional moment that day,” Gebben remembered. “To see the smile on his face when he received the ring was a really special moment. There’s a number of things that make it unique across all the things I’ve gotten to experience through the years.” Gebben worked with Ryan Hanlon, owner of Route 3 Films, to film, edit and produce the video. Both graduates of Marquette, Gebben and Hanlon were eager to document
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