Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Winfield Update January 2010
Starting out 2009, Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Winfield staff assisted the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Fort Riley during their first week of burial operations and with the dedication ceremony in April.
Memorial Day Services at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery at Winfield were held Monday, May 25, 2009 with approximately 400 persons attending. The guest speaker was Colonel Edsel A. Frye Jr, Commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group. Sunrise 4H group assisted in placing flags on the veteran gravesites.
Summer 2009 saw an unusual amount of rainfall which, combined with moderate temperatures gave the cemetery turf an excellent growing season. The result is a noticeable expansion of the grass areas.
In August the cemetery received the first triennial review by the National Cemetery Administration. The onsite inspection covered all areas of cemetery operations resulting in positive comments in meeting NCA Standards.
Cemetery manager Joe Gilbert assisted at the KCVA's information booth at the Kansas State Fair, made a presentation during the Kansas Funeral Directors Association District meeting in Wichita, attended the Kansas Municipal Cemetery Network meeting, and, along with Kansas Veterans' Home Superintendent Jim Hays, had an information booth at McConnell AFB retiree appreciation day in October.
Equipment Operator Wayne Steadham attended the Kansas Turf Grass Field Day in August and Nursery Field Day in October.
GMRT Perry Voss and Wayne Steadham attended the Grasshopper maintenance clinic in October.
The annual Patriot Day Thank You Ice Cream Social was well attended with members of the Winfield American Legion and VFW military honors detail.
The cemetery hosted the Winfield VFW Post 3455 annual Pearl Remembrance Day ceremony.
December 12, 2009 Wreaths Across America was conducted at the cemetery by the Emerald City Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol with approximately 250 people attending. Following the ceremony, volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol, American Legion Riders from Winfield and Mulvane, Gold Star Mothers Wichita Chapter, and Boy Scout Troup 318 assisted family members in placing individual wreaths.
We wish to thank those individuals and businesses who donated wreaths making it possible to place a wreath on each grave.