Veterans saluted at commemoration ceremony

by Mary Rupert

Wyandotte County veterans were saluted during a recognition ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 10.

The annual Wyandotte County Veterans Day Commemoration event, coordinated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6401 of Wyandotte County, was held at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Village, 6723 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

The guest speaker, Gretchen Meitler, retired sergeant 1st class and a member of the Tonganoxie VFW, urged those in attendance to be involved in the community.

“If you need help, ask for help, and on the flip side, go out and give help to those who need it, as well,” Meitler said.

Meitler is a veteran of the Iraq war and said she joined the Army as a junior in high school, going through basic training at a young age. When she returned to the classroom, “I had more discipline,” she said. “I could sit down and focus.”

She was able to travel to Europe as part of her military service, and also, the military helped pay for her college education.

The military service, as well as schools, have core values such as service, leadership and respect that can be lived each day to the fullest, she said.

Veterans also heard a presentation from the Veterans History Project in the Library of Congress.

Shawn Muller of Heartland Hospice said that Heartland Hospice is partnering with the Veterans History Project. She said it is a privilege for veterans to record their stories so future generations could look up their history.

Lt. Col. Johnnie Gallegos said it was important for veterans to share their stories with this project.

According to Andrew Huber, specialist with the Veterans History Project, an oral history archive has been established at the Library of Congress.

Veterans were able to meet with Huber and other project representatives for 45 minutes to an hour today for a digital video interview that are being saved and are available on a website and at the Library of Congress. Those oral histories then will be available to researchers, historians and those interested in doing family histories. All U.S. military veterans may participate in the project, according to Huber. The website is at www.loc.gov/vets/.

Also during the commemoration event, VFW Post 6401 Commander Jamie Hollie read a student essay from the VFW “Patriots Pen” essay contest. The topic was “Why I Honor the American Flag.”

Service pins were presented to veterans in attendance.

Unified Government Commissioner Melissa Bynum, 1st District at large, read a proclamation from Mayor David Alvey declaring Nov. 10 as Wyandotte County Veterans Day.

Also attending the event were UG Commissioner Tom Burroughs, 2nd District at large; new state Sen. Kevin Braun, R-5th Dist.; Chief Deputy DA Damon Mitchell of the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office; and Capt. David Thaxton of the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office.

Also participating in the ceremony were Salvation Army Major Beverly Best, who gave the invocation, and Chaplain Ed Farris, who played the national anthem and a medley of U.S. military tunes. Jim Jenkins, Kansas VFW state chaplain, gave the benediction.

A brunch donated by the Lenexa LePeep Restaurant followed the commemoration ceremony.

A Veterans’ Resource Directory printed by Providence Medical Center was distributed to veterans at the event.

Sponsors of the Veterans Day Commemoration included the VFW Post 6401, Kansas City, Kansas, Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army Harbor Light Village, Kansas City, Kansas, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, Providence Medical Center and Wyandotte Inc. The event also received several contributions.