The United States is still a great nation.

Major ( Ret. ) Charles Wright drove home that point to the Memorial Day observance audience at the C. L. Hoover Opera House. “I don’t want to offend anybody politically, but I know there’s a motto out there that says let’s America great again. I just have a question when did we stop being great.”

Wright referred to American history dating back to the Colonial area and the Battel of Monongahela that included a young George Washington, plus Washington’s heroics at the Battle of Trenton in the Revolutionary War and the sacrifices made by American soldiers during World War II.

Wright noted as we reflect on the sacrifices made for this nation we also need to reflect on the leaders. He observed their decisions were never taken lightly, and despite all the victories they remembered the men and women they had lost. He concluded his comments by stating this nation is great and strong. He received a standing ovation from the audience.

The ceremony also included a tribute by Master of Ceremonies Lieutenant Colonel ( Ret. ) Dennis “Buzz” Bruzina to the recent strong performance by the Junction City High School Junior ROTC which saw them earn a perfect rating from judges…ranking tops in the nation.

And there was a moment of silence to remember the late Lieutenant General ( Ret. ) Richard “Dick’ Seitz, a longtime community member who was a veteran of World War II and a distinguished military career.

Heritage Park in Junction City in front of the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial was the site for the Knight Templar, Free and Accepted Masons Memorial Day observance.

The guest speaker Grand Marshall Herbert Merrick referred to the Athenian leader Pericles, and his comments centuries ago about those who made the ultimate sacrifice. “Pericles said not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but their dwells also an unwritten memorial to them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men. The practice of decorating graves is actually a most ancient custom.”

The ceremony included comments by the Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Kansas, Michael Smith. “Today we celebrate the lives of all Kansans who gave their lives in service to our great country. The families of these fallen veterans have endured the pain and suffering of losing a brother, sister, son, daughter, father, mother or grandparent, their lives interrupted.”

The procession of the honor guard to the memorial and the playing of Amazing Grace were part of this annual observance, held for a 28th year.

 

 

The tour log report released by the Junction City Police Department Monday morning for the previous 24 hours included arrests.

–Christian Michael Fry, 25, Dakota Don Carter, 19, and Dustin Allen Carter, 28, all of Junction City on suspicion of Criminal Threat, Interference with Law Enforcement, Assault on Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Intimidation of Witness, Criminal Threat, and Aggravated Battery.

The arrests were reported at 1:02 a.m. Monday at 119 West 14th Street.

–Christopher Anthony Anderson, 23, Junction City, on suspicion of Domestic Battery, Battery, Intimidation of a Victim, and Endangerment of a Child. The arrest was reported at 11:52 a.m. Sunday at 2613 Brooke Bend Drive.

–Alisa Marie Sanysidro, 33, Junction City, was arrested on suspicion of Domestic Battery. The arrest was reported at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at 528 West Vine.

–Jose Angel Ariola-Murgria, 62, Junction City, was arrested on suspicion of Driving While Suspended and Improper Turn. That arrest was reported at 7:13 p.m. Sunday at 1300 Thompson Drive.

Thunderstorm activity swept through the Geary – Riley County region on Sunday afternoon.

According to Geary County Emergency Management quarter-size hail covered a road just north of the Rock Springs 4-H Center in southern Geary County. Pea size hail fell in Junction City, and there was one-inch diameter hail reported by the public two miles west northwest of Manhattan in Riley County.

The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of Nicholas Ryan Alexander, 27, Junction City and Ali Amor Cowden, 34, Junction City, on suspicion of Domestic Battery. The arrests occurred Saturday at 511 North Adams Street.

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The JCPD said Jorge L. Mota-Cortorreal, 22, Junction City, has been arrested on suspicion of Criminal Damage to Property, Interference with LEO  and Disorderly Conduct, and on a Junction City Municipal Court warrant. The arrest on the first three allegations occurred at 10:56 p.m. Saturday at 422 West 5th Street and the warrant arrest occurred just over an hour later at midnight at the Geary County Sheriff’s Department.

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The JCPD reported the arrest of Janeen L. Stevens, 24, Grandview Plaza, on suspicion of Criminal Damage to Property and Disorderly Conduct at 53 Riley Manor Circle. The arrest occurred at 5:04 a.m. Sunday.

 

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department reports that Deputies arrested Justin Greenberg, Fort Riley, in the 500 block of North Washington at 1:49 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence, Failure to Maintain a Single Lane of Travel, Improper Use of Turn Signal, Following too Closely, and Refusal of the Preliminary Breath Test.

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Deputies arrested Freddie Bond, Hays, KS in the 100 block of East Chestnut Street at 2:34 a.m. Saturday on suspicion of Disorderly Conduct, and on a Phillips County District Court warrant alleging Battery. At the same time and location, Deputies arrested Samuel Romo, Stockton, KS on suspicion of Interference with Law Enforcement and Disorderly Conduct.

The Junction City Commandry No. 43 Knight Templar is hosting their 28th annual Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony in Heritage Park on Monday, Memorial Day.

The guest speaker will include Herbert F. Merrick Jr., Grand Commander. Mick McCallister, Junction City mayor,  will welcome those attending the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m.

Larry Hicks will seek a third term on the Geary County Commission.

According to Geary County Clerk Rebecca Bossemeyer, Hicks filed for re-election on Friday. He represents the second county commission district in Geary County.

Hicks filed by petition and the County Clerk’s Office has three business days to validate the signatures on the petitions. That is standard procedure.

Because of flooding and a washed-out driveway, the Juneteenth Wildflower Walk scheduled June 4 at Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge is being postponed.

Refuge spokesperson Margy Stewart said parties interested in a replacement tour may make individual reservations for a mutually convenient time later in the season. Contact margystewart at margystewart785@gmail.com