National cemetery to hold morning service

The annual Veterans Day Memorial Service at Fort Scott National Cemetery is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the cemetery.

The event will begin with the singing of the national anthem by local resident Ronda Bailey and an invocation by Elder Dale Cathey. The local musical duo "Fuss and Feathers," which consists of Ralph Carlson and James "Red" Stradley, will perform patriotic tunes including "Rally Around the Flag," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The duo will also perform a musical rendition of the Gettysburg Address.

Local resident James Scott will present the Veterans Day address during the service. The Fort Scott Community College Greyhound Band, under the direction of Betty Jo Laflen, will perform a variety of patriotic songs and hymns. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1165 and the V.F.W. Post No. 1165 Ladies Auxiliary will place the honorary wreath.

Cathey will also give the benediction, followed by an honor volley presented by members of the V.F.W. Post No. 1165 Honor Guard. Local trumpeter Jerry Witt will conclude the program with the playing of "Taps."

The memorial program is being presented with the support of the V.F.W. Post No. 1165 and the assistance of the American Legion Veterans, the Disabled American Veterans, and staff at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Coffee and doughnuts will be served at the V.F.W. Post No. 1165, 1745 S. National Ave., following the program.

The U.S. government purchases the Fort Scott National Cemetery from the Presbyterian Church on Nov. 15, 1862, and therefore, it has been called the United States National Cemetery. It is one of the oldest national cemeteries in the U.S.