Program set for veterans' memorial service
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 12:29 p.m., November 6, 2007
Updated 12:29 p.m., November 6, 2007
Mary Beth Brown, head of volunteer services at the Colmery-O’Neill Veterans Hospital in Topeka, will be the guest speaker at the annual Veterans Day Memorial Service this year.
The service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the All Veterans Memorial in Soden’s Grove, with prelude music by the Emporia High School Band under the direction of Robert Haselhuhn. The band also will play the National Anthem after a flag-raising ceremony. The flag will be raised by Bill Gardner, representing American Legion Post 5, and John Clark, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars new men’s auxiliary unit.
The Rev. Jim Akers, state chaplain for the American Legion, will give the opening prayer.
Joey Sanchez and Adam Schondelmaier, EHS band members, will play “Taps” and echo, and retired Lieut. Col. Lee Hoskins will give the closing prayer.
Frank Sloat of VFW Post 1980 is in charge of the color guards and Cleat Buckbee of the American Legion is in charge of firing squads.
Richard McCoy of VFW Post 1980 will be master of ceremonies. The remainder of the program will include:
• Pledge of Allegiance by representatives of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
• Introduction of special guests.
• Recitation by Ron Whitney, 1st vice commander of the American Legion of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lt. Col. John McCrae, Canadian Army.
• Mary Beth Brown, speaker.
• Remarks and acknowledgements, Richard McCoy.
Color guards that have been invited to participate are from American Legion Post 5, the Civil Air Patrol, Flint Hills Area Vietnam Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1980, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7957.