In My Opinion--Veteran's Memorial Ceremony by Don Arndt

In My Opinion
By Don Arndt
Veteran’s Memorial Ceremony
Many people are now starting to prepare for the big Memorial Day weekend. Folks are planning big outdoor cooking get-togethers, planning on weekend trips, fishing, etc. Local veterans are no different, except their focus will be mostly on setting a couple hundred 4x6 flags at the local cemetery and setting countless American flags at each veteran’s grave that we know. We will also be making plans and preparations for our annual Memorial weekend ceremony held at Lt Charles Garrison Veterans Memorial in Adrian Saturday, May 27th at 10am (Monday 29th rain date). This will be our seventh ceremony since the new memorial site was dedicated in 2010, and we are planning on this being as memorable as those held in the past. We are moving in extra bleachers for the event hoping to fill them once again. Our speaker this year is Everett Loughridge of Belton Missouri. He is a retired navy captain having served 34 years of active duty and also the father of local Assembly of God minister.

Adrian has now been designated a Purple Heart City, so we will take a few moments to have a dedication for that. John Dismer of Springfield, MO is the Commander Department Of Missouri Military Order of Purple Heart and will speak about that designation.  We are reaching out, trying to locate as many Veterans that earned that award as we can find to take part and be recognized during the service. If anyone knows of a neighbor or relative that would come out and be with us, please let them know about this event.
 
Please plan to attend the gathering, a time that we set aside to remember our heroes lost. Take a moment to remember those that gave so much for this great Nation. Hannah Newkirk has once again volunteered to put together all the vocals, Keri Lemon will end the ceremony with her amazing rendition of taps for us.

We have now 936 memory bricks laid at the Memorial. That is 936 names of men and women that served their country. If you haven’t yet purchased a brick for someone that served, please think about doing that. Any person that wore the uniform, in country or overseas, in peace time or war, and from any state in the union all qualify for a brick. All bricks are only $50.00, even the large granite blocks reserved K.I.A.’s and POW’s are only $50.00. We sincerely would like to have every veteran memorialized at our site. To get that brick you may contact any Post 1935 veterans of Foreign Wars member or me at the information below.

You may call me at 816 898 2359 with comments or send your questions and comments to bigdontv@hotmail.com



Comments