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Honoring their sacrifices
A week of patriotism and remembrance starts this week in Fort Scott.
Several events and activities will tie into the Symbols of Sacrifice event planned for Saturday at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Thousands of flags recognizing those who have died during the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan will stand on the parade grounds of the historic site from Sept. 11-17. Last year's event included nearly 7,000 flags and more are expected to be on display this year. A one-day program this year will take the place of last year's three-day event.
Visitors will be able to walk among the Field of Honor and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by veterans to safeguard America's freedom. The flags are scheduled to be installed Thursday.
Anne Emerson, organizer of Symbols of Sacrifice, said some volunteer groups have already been recruited but additional volunteers are needed for installation of the flags Thursday and reading of names Saturday. Those who are interested in helping with either of these tasks should contact Bill Fischer at the historic site at (620) 223-0310.
Volunteers may also possibly be needed to watch the flags overnight, from midnight to 6 a.m., while they are on display on the fort grounds. For more information on volunteering to watch flags, contact Jim Scott at (620) 223-1844.
"Some people did it right through the night (last year), other people did it in shifts," Emerson said. "I think there are four nights they still need help with."
Also planned is the second annual memorial event to honor victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, their families and first responders involved in events of that tragic day. The event will take place from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Thursday on the bricks in front of the historic site.
In the event of rain, that ceremony will be held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church located at Third and Crawford streets, according to event organizers. The event will take place in cooperation with the National Day of Service and Remembrance. The Rev. Dr. Jared Witt will be the guest speaker.
Saturday's schedule
Emerson said staff at the historic site are organizing the schedule of activities for Saturday, which includes reading of names of military heroes lost in the War on Terror starting at 7 a.m., a memorial 5K fun run and one-mile walk starting at 9 a.m. at the historic site, a program on American military sacrifices throughout the years at 10:45 a.m., and a musical prelude at 11:30 a.m.
Registration for the Ride for the Wreath fundraiser - organized by a group of local motorcyclists - will start at 9 a.m. with the ride beginning at 11 a.m. Proceeds will go to purchase wreaths for veteran's graves at Fort Scott National Cemetery No. 1. The 88-mile ride will begin near Skubitz Plaza. Wreaths will be placed at the cemetery in December as part of Wreaths Across America. Local riders and those from across the region are expected to participate in the ride.
The opening ceremony on the bricks at the historic site is scheduled to begin at noon Saturday and will include various speeches and a flag-folding ceremony, Emerson said.
"We're very appreciative of what they're (FSNHS staff) doing," she said.
Local and state dignitaries, including Gov. Sam Brownback, spoke at last year's ceremony. State and federal officials have been invited to return this year, Emerson said.
Last year was the first year for the event, which was organized by the Symbols of Sacrifice Committee working in partnership with the Friends of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, a nonprofit organization. The event also included a motorcycle ride and a photography contest. On opening day, several volunteers read the names of each individual who gave their lives during the War on Terror. The names were broadcast throughout the Historic Downtown District.
One of the Symbols of Sacrifice Committee's goals this year is to raise more money for Track Chairs for Veterans, a charitable effort by the committee, and to challenge other Kansas communities to purchase all-terrain track chairs for local veterans. The track chairs would help injured vets return to their farming or ranching livelihoods or benefit from the recreational therapy of hunting and fishing.
To date, about $5,000 has been raised through donations toward the committee's goal of $15,000 for a track chair for a local veteran, Emerson said.
"The critical thing is if Fort Scott can come up with $15,000, then we would challenge other communities to do the same and the governor will recognize them," she said.
Emerson said statistics she found indicate that 1,400 veterans have lost limbs in the War on Terror.
"Traumatic injuries can prevent them from being the breadwinner of the family and causes them to lose self-esteem and lose the recreational therapy of hunting and fishing, and outdoor activities," she said.
These veterans then become at "far greater" risk for depression, post traumatic stress disorder and suicide, and track chairs could help reduce those risks, Emerson said.
"The ultimate goal is to get a track chair for every veteran who needs one," she said. "Any help we can give our veterans is critical."
Emerson said she would like to see the Symbols of Sacrifice event expand and become a bigger local annual event that draws more visitors paying their respect and possibly even become a regional event. Organizers planned to conduct a more regional event last year but limited funds prevented organization of a larger event.
"We would like to see other communities see this and be inspired to do it there," she said. "We would love to see all communities do something significant for their veterans ... I would love it if every resident, every home would have a flag somewhere flying in front of their home."
Last year's Symbols of Sacrifice event raised close to $11,000 and it was estimated that about 1,500 people attended. The ceremony is funded through donations to the Symbols of Sacrifice Committee, which is affiliated with the Friends of the FSNHS.