Service set at National Cemetery

Also planned this weekend is the annual Veterans Day Memorial Service, scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.

The event will include the singing of the National Anthem by Rhonda Bailey, invocation and benediction by James "Red" Stradley, music by Fuss and Feathers and the Fort Scott Community College Greyhound Band and the Veterans Day address given by keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, adjutant general of Kansas.

Brett Geneva, equipment operator on the national grounds, said this is the first time Tafanelli has been a guest speaker at the cemetery.

"We try to change speakers every year," he said.

Tafanelli, military commander of the Kansas National Guard, served as state representative of the 47th district in 2001-04 and 2006-11. While commander of the 891st Engineer Battalion, he led their deployment to Iraq in 2005. Later, he commanded the 69th Troop Command and was director of operations for the Kansas National Guard.

The event will also include the traditional placing of the wreath by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1165 and Auxiliary, and honor volley by the V.F.W. Post No. 1165 Honor Guard. Local trumpeter Jerry Witt will conclude the service with the playing of "Taps."

The service is coordinated under the auspices of the V.F.W. Post No. 1165 assisted by the American Legion Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, and cemetery staff.

Geneva said attendees will have the option to park outside the cemetery gates and ride into the cemetery service on Dolly the Trolley. The service will be held at the committal shelter where funeral services are held.

"They can still park in the cemetery if they want," Geneva said.

Coffee and doughnuts will be served at the V.F.W. Post No. 1165, 1745 S. National Ave.

In case of bad weather, the service will take place at Memorial Hall, 1 E. Third St.

The U.S. government purchased the cemetery from the Presbyterian Church on Nov. 15, 1862, and therefore it has been called the U.S. National Cemetery. It is one of the oldest national cemeteries in the U.S., a flyer for the program said.

Schools to host

celebrations

The public is also invited to attend Veterans Day programs with music at 10 a.m. at Eugene Ware Elementary School, 900 E. Third St., and 2:25 p.m. at Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th St.