New veterans memorial to be dedicated
The new Veterans Memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park north of Great Bend will be dedicated at 2 p.m. today. The park is located at 59 NW 50 Road, north of Great Bend.
The schedule tentatively includes the Rev. Julie Shields giving the opening prayer, Marc Webster playing an opening selection, local veterans and a color guard from Sterling presenting the flags, speeches will be made by county officials, the raising of the service flags and a cutting of a ribbon.
There will also be a firing squad salute and “Taps” played by Webster.
Refreshments will follow. Organizers hope to have a table set up to take orders for the names of Barton County veterans to be engraved on the memorial.
The ceremony should last very long and there are benches for those attending.
The Great Bend Disabled American Veterans Chapter 27 is planning the Great Bend Memorial Day service this year. It is set for 10 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Circle, Great Bend Municipal Cemetery
The schedule for the observance is as follows:
• Call to order (“It’s a Grand Old Flag”)
• Entrance of the American Legion Riders Chapter 180, Great Bend
• Master of ceremonies – Terry Young, past DAV commander
• Invocation – Rev. William Johnson
Presentation of memorials and addresses
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 27 – Cody Helms, commander
American Legion Post 180 – David Krallman, commander
American Legion Post 180 Auxiliary – Norma Titsworth, president
Sons of American Legion Post 180 – Jerry Postlethwaite, SAL commander
American Legion Riders Post 180 American Legion Riders – Chris Krueger, director
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111 – John Johnson, commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 3111– Dianne Morse, auxiliary member
Sons of the American Revolution – Stan Jantz
Ladies of the Grand Army Republic – Girl Scout Troop 11135
Spanish American War (in memory of) – Boy Scout Troop 184
World War I Barracks (in memory of) World – Boy Scout Troop 184
Boy Scouts of America Scouts of America – Boy Scout Troop 184
Girl Scouts of America – Girl Scout Troop 11135
• Memorial address – Young
• Benedictions – Johnson
• Rendering of honors (21-gun salute) – Kevin Lockwood and Rifle Squad WW II Re-Enactment Group.
• “Taps” – Webster
• Adjourn to the Arkansas River Bridge to honor those who died at sea.
The bridge ceremony includes:
• “Anchors Away” – Webster
• Moment of silence – Young
• Eulogy for a Veteran – Young
• Releasing wreaths into the Arkansas River – Service organizations representatives
• Rendering of honors (21-gun salute) – Rifle Squad
Salute to the Deceased, “Taps” – Webster
