In 1868 the United States made a commitment to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the freedom and security of our country.
Monday marked the 156th year of maintaining that commitment as a grateful nation celebrated Memorial Day. Activities locally included the annual Memorial Day Service at the Emporia All Veterans Memorial heard on KVOE’s Airwaves.
The featured speaker for Monday’s ceremony was retired Kansas Air National Guard Command Sgt. Sherry Willard who noted Memorial Day is meant to honor “not only the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom but also to remember their survivors and families who were left behind.” During her comments, Willard also offered an answer to an important question “Why must there be sacrifice?”
In addition to Willard’s address, Monday’s service also included music by the Emporia Municipal Band, the memorial roll call read by Gold Star Mother Maria Lane and retired US Army Major Greg Leeds, a gun salute and the playing of taps.
Known as Declaration Day, the holiday was first observed on May 30, 1868. The holiday would later be renamed Memorial Day and was officially named a federal holiday in 1971 following an act of Congress.
You can hear Monday’s service in its entirety in the KVOE.com audio vault.
*Click here for a YouTube Short video from the Memorial Day service.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon and Chuck Samples/KVOE NewsÂ
