Fort Scott set for Memorial Day ceremonies

Memorial Day weekend activities in Fort Scott will culminate Monday with a special tribute to all American soldiers who have died defending their country during military service.

A memorial service organized by the American Legion Post 25, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1165, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Combat Infantrymen's Association, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday with a prayer led by local pastor Reed Hartford to honor all deceased American war veterans. The prayer will take place on the east steps of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National Ave.

The memorial service will continue with guest speakers and other remembrance activities starting at 10:30 a.m., at the Fort Scott National Cemetery No. 1, 900 E. National Ave. Cemetery representative Glenda Pavey will welcome attendees, and also lead the audience in the "Pledge of Allegiance." American Legion Post 25 Commander Wayne Stringer will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Following Stringer's comments, Hartford will give the invocation.

Local musicians Ralph Carlson and James "Red" Stradley will perform a rendition of the "Gettysburg Address," a famous speech delivered by former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the American Civil War. V.F.W. Post No. 1165 Commander Clint Walker will then recite "General Order No. 11," an order given in 1868 by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans. The order officially proclaimed the first Memorial Day, which was originally called Decoration Day.

Logan led the effort to have Memorial Day observed each year, and helped spread recognition of the event. Logan originally chose May 30 as the date in which Memorial Day would be observed each year; a date that many people believe was chosen because flowers would be in bloom across the country. The Grand Army of the Republic established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Walker will speak about Logan during the Monday service.

Memorial Day was observed on May 30, for more than 100 years, and has been observed on the last Monday in May since 1971.

Former U.S. Congressman Jim Ryun, who represented the 2nd Kansas Congressional District from 1996-2007, will present the Memorial Day address during the local memorial service. Following Ryun's speech, members of the American Legion Post No. 25 and Auxiliary will present the traditional placing of the wreath, and a V.F.W. Post No. 1165 firing squad will present the honor volley. Hartford will then present the benediction, followed by the conclusion of the memorial service with the playing of "Taps" by local resident Jerry Witt.

Those people who attend the service and other local residents may visit the V.F.W. Post No. 1165, 1745 S. National Ave., for refreshments following the service.

Memorial Day, which was first observed to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War, is now considered a day to remember all Americans who have died while serving in uniform during military conflicts that date back to 1775. The remembrance spans more than 230 years and about 60 military actions across the globe that have claimed almost 1.5 million lives.

Many people observe Memorial Day by placing flags at gravesites, marching in parades, sponsoring patriotic programs, dedicating memorials, and attending commemorative services.