“Without our great nation, we have no reason to serve and without service, we have no great nation.”
Those words were shared as part of an address by keynote speaker and Army National Guard Col. Erica Christie during Emporia’s annual Veterans Day memorial service at the All Veterans Memorial Saturday. Col. Christie also spoke on the importance of service and what it truly means to serve one’s country.
National Guard Command Sgt. Major Steve Harmon concluded the morning’s ceremony sharing words from General Daniel Hokanson, Commander of the Air and National Guard.
Saturday’s ceremony also included the playing of taps by members of the Emporia High School band and a 21-gun salute in recognition of the service of all veterans past and present.
The memorial service, as always, followed the annual parade in downtown Emporia which saw more than 50 entries this year.
Once the morning festivities concluded, activities continued well into the afternoon with a pair of lunches at American Legion Post 5 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1980 as well as a special concert put on by the 35th Infantry Division Band at Emporia State’s Albert Taylor Hall.
The evening’s activities featured the Lazy Wayne Band and Cody Joe Hodges concert at the Emporia Granada Theatre and an appearance by Undercover — an ’80s Experience Band, at VFW Post 1980.
All Veterans Tribute activities will conclude Sunday at 1 pm with the Quilts of Gratitude Presentation at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building. To rewatch the parade and memorial service in their entirety, click here.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
