Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at WaKeeney Update - January, 2010
The Cemetery Program and WaKeeney staff sponsored a BBQ for the Missing in America Funeral Escort on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at the WaKeeney VFW. The funeral escort's mission was to travel across America from Sacramento, California, with the remains of Johnnie F. Callahan, silver star medal; James W. Dunn, silver star medal and bronze star medal; and Isaiah Mays, Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor medal, to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery on May 29th. Over 150 people traveled in the escort, including the Buffalo Soldiers from Nicodemus and local American Legion Riders. It was an honor to participate in such an honorable mission to give tribute to three of our Nation's heroes.
The Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at WaKeeney held its Annual Memorial Day service on May 25th. Over 400 people were in attendance. Rev. Randy Gibbs played the bagpipes during the prelude. Several people in the crowd, including American Legion Riders, volunteered to hold flags to create a human avenue of flags. The service began with a KC-135 Stratotanker flyover. The WaKeeney VFW posted the colors, as the WaKeeney Harmony Club sang the National Anthem. Fr. Donald Pfannenstiel offered the invocation. Heidi Goff, cemetery manager, welcomed all those attending. Major General (Ret) Phillip Finley was the guest speaker and shared his experiences of heroism while in the military. The WaKeeney VFW Auxiliary placed wreaths at the base of the United States flag, as the Harmony Club performed Sleep Soldier Boy. The Harmony Club then performed Soldier's Song. Memorial balloons were released to honor the 59 Kansas who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the bagpipers played Amazing Grace. A 5-man Cavalry re-enactment troop slowly walked across garden 4, with an additional empty saddled horse and boots placed in the stirrups backwards, as a tribute to our fallen soldiers. Steve Phelps, maintenance supervisor, read the names of all those who's final resting place is at our Cemetery this past year. The BTRY A(-) 1-BN 161 FA, Dodge City, then gave a 21 Volley Salute with Howitzer Mountain Canons, followed by Mick Bollig, Austin Sherwood and Adrian Sanabria playing echo taps. Heidi gave the closing remarks and Fr. Donald gave the benediction. Coffee and Donuts were offered to all those attending. We would like to thank everyone who attended participated in this beautiful service.
The Annual Veterans Day Service was held at the Cemetery on November 11, 2009. We would like to thank the speaker, Master Chief (Ret) Jerry White, the chaplain Fr. Donald Pfannenstiel, the Stockton VFW who provided honors and the American Legion Riders for participating in the Service. We would also like to thank Henry Deines, Rev. Randy Gibbs, Paul MacDonald and Jason Kucerik for their musical contributions to the service. Following the Veterans Day Program, a United States Flag Retirement/Disposal Ceremony was conducted.
The 4th Annual Wreaths Across America Service was held at the Cemetery on December 12, 2009. Wreaths Across America is held annually at 11:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of December. A wreath was placed at each grave in the Cemetery following the ceremony by family members and the American Legion Riders. The wreaths were purchased with donations that were received from families and the local community. We would like to thank Lt. Col Errol Wuertz, member of the Civil Air Patrol, for coordinating the ceremony. We would also like to thank Fr. Donald Pfannenstiel, Mick Bollig and all of the Veterans who placed a wreath in honor of each branch of service, including the Merchant Marines and POW/MIAs; Sgt Mark Ward, Colonel (Ret) Gary Blair, Major (Ret) Ted Hanchett, FN Nicholas Schraeder and Weeden Nichols. The Cemetery looks beautiful with the rich greenery of the wreaths and bright red bows. The wreaths will remain on the graves until the end of January.
Please mark on your calendars our Annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 31, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
Three Memorial benches have been donated to our Cemetery in loving memory of James and Elizabeth Hilgers, James D. Eisenhour (KIA Vietnam) and Rose J. Thiel O'Toole.
Due to funding constraints the veteran's services representative from the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs will discontinue scheduled monthly visits to the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney until further notice. Veterans and family members needing assistance with the VA annual Eligibility Verification Report should call for an appointment and the representative will make visits as needed. The Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs is a state agency that provides free assistance to veterans and their families with veterans benefits. Please call Eric Rohleder, Veterans Service Representative, at (785) 625-8532 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney presently has interred 140 veterans and dependents and has 699 pre-certifications.
Our Cemetery staff is dedicated to assisting our Veterans and their families and to continue providing a beautiful Cemetery that honors each of them. If you would like to learn more about pre-certification for interment at the cemetery, or to schedule a presentation, please call Heidi at (785) 743-5685 or her cell at (785) 639-1972. Cemetery staff is available for questions, information, or tours Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Summer Hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day.