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 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1165 Commander Clinton Walker, left, and V.F.W. Auxiliary President Sharon Reed, right, place a wreath at the base of the flag pole at the Fort Scott National Cemetery during Wednesday's Veterans Day Memorial Service. (Michael Pommier/Tribune) [Click to enlarge] |
Local veteran Jim Scott was the guest speaker for a memorial service Wednesday morning at the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
"What can I possibly say to express the significance of this important day?," Scott said to the crowd. "To all my fellow Vietnam veterans, and to all veterans, welcome home."
 James "Red" Stradley recited the Gettysburg Address during Wednesday's Veterans Day Memorial Service at the Fort Scott National Cemetery. (Michael Pommier/Tribune) [Click to enlarge] |
"For us in Fort Scott, history and honor go hand in hand," Scott said about the historical cemetery.
Scott also talked about soldiers and various historical figures that have been buried at the cemetery, including members of the First Kansas Colored Infantry, a unit that suffered more casualties than any other American unit during the Civil War, as well as Native American scouts who were also soldiers in the U.S. Army.
 Students of Eugene Ware Elementary School sing the Star Spangled Banner during their Veterans Day assembly Wednesday afternoon. (Michael Pommier/Tribune) [Click to enlarge] |
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for Nov. 11, 1919. An act approved by the U.S. Congress in 1938 made Nov. 11 of each year a legal holiday. A bill for a holiday to honor all veterans, not just those who served in World War I, passed in 1954. The holiday has been known as Veterans Day ever since.
The service at the cemetery also included the singing of the national anthem by Ronda Bailey; an invocation and benediction by Elder Dale Cathey; performances of patriotic tunes by local musical duo "Fuss and Feathers,"; performances of patriotic songs by the Fort Scott Community College Greyhound Band; an honorary placing of the wreath and honor volley; and the playing of "Taps" by local trumpeter Jerry Witt.
Area schools also got involved in honoring area veterans on Wednesday. Activities at Winfield Scott Elementary School, Eugene Ware Elementary School, and Fort Scott Middle School included patriotic songs sung and played by students, guest speakers and presentations, recognition of veterans in attendance, and other traditional Veterans Day activities.
During the Eugene Ware assembly, local soldier Frank Schubert, one of the guest speakers at the event, brought with him a U.S. flag that hung on the wall behind the stage during the assembly in the school gymnasium. Schubert said he carried the flag in his bag while serving in several countries, including Iraq and Ireland, before bringing the flag back to the school, which he attended as a boy. Schubert said he has a daughter who now attends the school.
Students and staff at St. Mary's Catholic School assembled around the flagpole to pray and honor veterans Wednesday morning. Students then traveled to the local McDonald's Restaurant to sing patriotic songs to veterans who had visited the restaurant. After sharing cards and notes of thanks with the veterans, students then traveled to view flags displayed on East National Avenue and then to the Fort Scott National Cemetery.
A Veterans Day assembly at Uniontown High School was scheduled to take place Thursday morning in the UHS gymnasium. That program included performances by the UHS choir and band, and a video tribute to veterans designed by students.