×
×
homepage logo

Memorial honors soldiers who gave their lives

By Amy Train - | May 30, 2001

Thousands upon thousands of men and women died to give citizens in the United States the freedom they have today.

On Sunday, members of Tonganoxie’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9271 paid tribute to the American men and women who have died in service to their country.

The Rev. Rick Lamb of West Haven Baptist Church said a recent trip he and his wife took to Israel underscored to him the importance of freedom.

“We experienced some things we’ve never experience before,” Lamb told about 50 people gathered in VFW Park in Tonganoxie.

The Lambs went through numerous military checkpoints and X-ray screenings. Guns were commonplace.

Lamb said he and his wife never felt totally at ease. He said their feeling of relief when they got on the plane to come home was overwhelming.

“All of us owe a debt service to the men and women who’ve died for our country,” he said.

Following the speech, Joe Thompson played a bugle and veterans Harold Putthoff, Larry Meadows and Bob Klinkenberg fired rifles in honor of their fallen comrades.

At the conclusion of the service, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts planted two trees that were donated by Wal-Mart.