BY DALE HOGG and

MIKE GILMORE

news@gbtribune.com  

Area veterans organizations are planning the Memorial Day observances in communities around the Golden Belt.

The Great Bend observance will take place at 10 a.m. Monday at Great Cemetery’s Veterans Circle. The program will include:

• Entrance of the American Legion Riders Chapter 180, Great Bend, and the flag presentation

• Introductions by master of ceremonies Doug Fuhr

• Invocation by the Rev. Dick Ogle

• Presentation of memorials

– Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111 – Kenny Dreiling, commander

– VFW Auxiliary Post 3111 – Brian Ewing, president

– American Legion Post 180 – Boe Levingston

– American Legion Auxiliary Unit 180 – Juanita Dreiling, unit vice president

– Sons of the American Legion Squadron 180 – Rick Munsch SAL commander

– American Legion Riders Chapter 180 – JP Postlethwaite, ALR director

– Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111 – Kenny Dreiling, commander 

– Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 3111 – Doug Fuhr - president

– Disabled American Veterans Chapter 27 – Darrell Turley, commander

– Sons of the American Revolution – Justin Engleman

– Boy Scouts of America – Boy Scout troop 157 and 184

– Girl Scouts of America – Girl Scouts Troop 11135

• Memorial address by Dreiling

• Benediction by Ogle

• A Moment of silence for the deceased

• Taps – Mark Webster

After the ceremony, the proceedings will adjourn to the Arkansas River Bridge just south of Great Bend on U.S. 281 to honor those who died at sea. This will include the releasing wreaths into the river by service organization representatives.

Next, the service will move to the Barton County Veterans Memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park, a half mile west of NW 50 Avenue and North Washington. There will be a laying of wreaths at the park. 

There will also be observances in area communities. These include:

Ellinwood

• 8 a.m. at St. Peter and Paul Church north of Ellinwood

• 10:30 a.m. at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery in Ellinwood – Stan Isern is the featured speaker.

The Ellinwood American Legion Post 320 is in charge of the service.

Hoisington

• 7:45 a.m. at the Odin Cemetery

• 8:30 a.m.  at the Dubuque Cemetery

• 9:15 a.m.  at the Beaver Cemetery           

• 10 a.m. at the Hoisington Cemetery        

• 10:30 a.m. at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Cemetery

The Hoisington American Legion Post 286 is organizing the services.

Claflin

• 10 a.m. Pleasant View Cemetery in Claflin 

Larned/Pawnee Rock

• 10 a.m.  at the Larned Cemetery

• 11 a.m. at the Pawnee Rock Cemetery

Robert Sallee of Larned will be the speaker.

Walter S. Chears American Legion Post No. 106 is in charge of the services assisted by the Larned Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7271.