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Photo by Melissa Treolo

The Bonner Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6401 marches into the Soldier's Circle at Bonner Springs Cemetery to present the colors.

“Let me remember when I’m tired, the sons heroic who have died.”

With the reading of these lines from Edgar Guest’s poem “A Creed,” Bonner Springs City Council member George Cooper echoed the patriotic tone of Monday morning’s annual Memorial Day service.

Held in the Soldier’s Circle at Bonner Springs Cemetery, the ceremony paid homage to soldiers who have given their life in battle.

The event included an invocation and benediction given by former Bonner Springs Mayor Al Ramirez, the presentation of colors by the Bonner Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6401 and the “National Anthem” and a rendition of “God Bless America” sung by residents Malisa and Joy Wallace.

Also adding to the ceremony’s lineup was a 21-gun salute given by the VFW and a rendition of “Taps” performed by former City Council member Larry Berg and his son Brian.

“It’s always very moving,” said resident Ann Williams, whose husband Bruce served in Vietnam, following the service.

Williams said her husband, who died in 1995, was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

“So since I can’t go there, this is (my way) to honor him and all the veterans,” Williams said.

In his invocation, which opened the ceremony, Ramirez offered up the main reasoning for having such a service each year in the first place — as a way to remember and celebrate the sacrifices made by those soldiers buried at Bonner Cemetery.

“And that’s why we’re here today, to honor them and remember them and to thank them and their families for all they have done for each one of us,” Ramirez said in prayer. “Father, it is so good to be able to come to this sacred place, to this final resting place of many of our loved ones.”

Though the service largely holds to the same formula each year, VFW commander Jim Jenkins said he was always proud to be a part of the it.

“… to me it’s really important to take time and pay special tribute to those who have passed on and who have served this great nation,” Jenkins said following the service. “And it’s an honor on our part to be able to do that.”

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