National Cemetery to host Memorial Day Service

The Fort Scott National Cemetery, 900 E. National Ave., will host a Memorial Day service on Monday, May 31, to honor and pay tribute to all of the American soldiers who have died defending their country during military service.

The service is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. with a welcome and address by Richard Wheeler, a technician at the cemetery who will serve as master of ceremonies for the service. Leavenworth National Cemetery Complex Director William Owensby will speak to attendees about an improvement project that is currently taking place at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. Life Scout Daniel Lyon will lead the crowd in the "Pledge of Allegiance" and the Rev. Tim Davish will give the invocation.

Ralph Carlson and James "Red" Stradley, a local musical duo, will perform a musical rendition of the "Gettysburg Address." Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1165 Commander Lee Wright will recite "General Order No. 11," an order given in 1868 by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, that officially proclaimed the first Memorial Day. Logan led the effort to have Memorial Day observed each year, and helped spread recognition of the event.

United States Army Command Sergeant Major Philip F. Johndrow will present the Memorial Day address during the service. Prior to coming to the Combined Arms Center, CSM Johndrow served as the 1st Cavalry Division Command Sergeant Major and was deployed to Iraq as the CSM for Multi-National Division Baghdad, during the peak of the surge. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 1st Armored Division, and in OIF III with the 1st Armored and 3rd Infantry Division. In addition, CSM Johndrow has served in every enlisted leadership position in the Armor Branch from Platoon to Corps level in his more than 30 years of service. Members of the American Legion Post No. 25 and Auxiliary will place the honorary wreath, followed by an honor volley presented by members of the V.F.W. Post No. 1165.

Davish also will give the benediction, and Jerry Witt, a local trumpeter, will conclude the program with the playing of "Taps."

Attendees will be invited to the V.F.W. Post No. 1165, 1745 S. National Ave., for refreshments following the service.

Prior to the service, Davish will lead a prayer in honor of all American war veterans on the steps of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave.

The Memorial Day service, which is organized by the American Legion Post No. 25, the V.F.W. Post No. 1165, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Combat Infantrymen's Association, takes place each year to honor and remember American soldiers who have died in conflicts throughout the world since 1775. Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May since 1971.