Roughly 35 people were on hand for the ceremony, which started with a welcome from Post Commander Sam Peters and then the invocation from post chaplain Wendel Espeland.

The National Anthem was played and Peters gave remarks before state Rep. Lance Neelly, R-Tonganoxie, gave this year’s speech.

Shawn F. Linenberger

He spoke about military members being true heroes and gave a couple examples of their sacrifices for their country, including Jack Lummus, who played football for the New York Giants.

On Jan. 30, 1942, just more than a month of after the Giants lost to the Chicago Bears in the NFL Championship game, Lummus enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Shawn F. Linenberger

More than three years later, he was mortally wounded on March 8, 1945, on Iwo Jima when he stepped on a land mine and lost his legs. He posthumously received a Medal of Honor and also inducted to the Giants’ Ring of Honor.

Neelly also mentioned President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaiming Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace during his presidency in 1953.

Espeland gave the benediction and then veterans conducted a rifle salute before “Taps” was played.

As has been tradition at the annual Memorial Day service, Scottish Bagpipers performed “Amazing Grace” toward the conclusion of the ceremony.

Shawn F. Linenberger