Memorial Day was observed in Junction City and at Fort Riley in a number of ways ranging from the playing of taps, a 21-gun salute and the laying of wreaths to solemn comments by federal, state and local leaders.
At Fort Riley Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer said those attending the ceremony at the Post Cemetery would all be a part of the Memorial Day memory. “We will be remembering and thanking your families, your loved ones and all of those who have sacrificed to make America the greatest land on earth.” Colyer went on to say, “We see these tombstones. We’re humbled, we’re gratified, but we also know their meaning. Their meaning is that we may live and they expect us to do better every single day. They loved this country and
they loved this family and that is why they are so special.”
Fort Riley Garrison Commander Colonel John Lawrence stated the words loss, sacrifice, valor, bravery, and selfless were a few words being said at ceremonies around the country to describe Memorial Day. “They represent the actions of our heroic men and women of the armed services that gave their lives while defending our nation and our freedoms.”
Congressman Roger Marshall, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue also spoke during the ceremony.
In Junction City there were two Memorial Day observances, including one sponsored by the Geary County Veterans Alliance at the C.L. Hoover Opera house and another sponsored by the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Kansas in Heritage Park.
At the Opera House the Chairman of the Geary County Commission, Charles Stimatze, told the audience a famous
philosopher once stated that the bravest are those with the clearest vision of what is before them. “Glory and danger alike and yet notwithstanding go out and meet it. You’re here today to honor our heroes, to remember their achievements, their courage and their dedication, and to say thank you for their sacrifices.” Stimatze asked service members and veterans plus the family members of any service member to stand for recognition as they received a round of applause from the audience.
In Heritage Park the Sir Knight Clarence E. Arens, U.S. Navy ( Retired ) said those present were there to honor and respect the men whose names are on the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the park but also all brothers in arms and shipmates from the entire nation that shared their fate.
Speaking about the Vietnam war he stated, “There was a total of over 2,100,000 military men and women who served in Vietnam over the course of the war. ” The U.S. Army lost 38,179 Soldiers, the U.S. Marine Corps lost 14,836 men, 25% of all deaths but it was five percent of their total force. U.S. Navy lost 2,556 killed and the U.S. Air Force lost a similar number with 2,580 combat losses.”
Arens said in War in Vietnam 766 Americans are known to have been prisoners of war, with 114 of those dying in captivity. Some POW’s were held for more than seven years.
Arens also reported that more than 1,800 men are still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
He stated that we should always remember those who perished, respect the unselfish and noble sacrifices of those men and women in the cause against the spread of Communism, and reverence to the men whose names are inscribed on the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial and what it means. “May the spirits of these fine men dwell where no bullets fly and where peace eternally prevails.”
( Information and photos contributed by Fort Riley Facebook and Nita Miller )