Parsons joined other communities across the country on Saturday in honoring veterans buried at Oakwood Cemetery and other cemeteries in the community.
The ceremony took place in one of the Civil War circles at Oakwood. Jonna Gabbert represented Parsons Historical Museum and is the local coordinator for the Wreaths Across America observance. Wreaths sold for $17 each and could be dedicated to family members or purchased for display at veterans’ graves in Parsons.
Gabbert said in all that 384 wreaths were ordered. Diane Stafford ordered 200 and donated them.
Wreaths Across America has over 4,600 participating locations in 50 states and abroad. Its mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
The wreaths were made from balsam firs grown in Maine. They will be on display for several weeks before being removed by volunteers.
Marty Mendicki opened the ceremony with some history on the Historic Oakwood Cemetery Improvement Fund, which is a non-profit raising money for the restoration and preservation of Oakwood.
Gabbert said on Saturday that the freedoms we enjoy today came at a price. She said the Civil War veterans buried in the circle and countless other men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country in which we live and the
See WREATHS, Page 8.
way of life that Americans enjoy.
“We can worship as we see fit. We can raise our children to believe as we do,” she said.
She said she was pleased to see community members attend the ceremony and to those who would volunteer to place wreaths at veterans’ graves.
“We are so grateful to the good and wonderful community for participating in our mission. There is no group I hold in higher regard than our nation’s veterans. Veterans represent the very best values of freedom in our country, courage, sacrifice, hard work and a willingness to put others first,” Gabbert said. Veterans did this in their military careers and continue to do so in their civilian lives.
She said the boxes that the wreaths came in had a quote on them. The quote is that a soldier dies twice. Once when he or she takes his last breathe while serving and the second time when he or she is forgotten.
“We thank those who gave their lives to keep us free, and we shall not forget you. We shall remember,” she said.
Staff Sgt. Luke Bailey with the 1011th Quartermaster Company in Independence then placed a wreath in honor of Army veterans. Others representing other branches of the military also placed wreaths for these groups. Judith Thompson of the Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, placed a wreath to honor the prisoners of war and missing in action who have not returned home.
Dan Goddard, a retired Air Force colonel, spoke last. He is also a state representative for the 7th House District in Kansas.
He said members of the military take an oath to preserve and defend the U.S. Constitution.
“That oath does not have an expiration date on it,” Goddard said.
He said Americans should celebrate their varied ethnic backgrounds, religious choices and races.
“But remember always that you are Americans first.”
Susan Harrison-Washington then demonstrated how to place the wreaths on the graves and how to honor the soldiers buried there.
