Events to honor veterans on Memorial Day
Memorial Day will be observed Monday in Kansas and across the nation as people pause to remember the veterans who sacrificed their lives.
Here are some planned observances this weekend in the Wichita area:
Wichita
Sunday
Veterans Memorial Park, 339 N. Veterans Parkway, 3 p.m. Three pathways with the commemorative bricks of 1,500 World War II area veterans have been completed and will be celebrated. There will be a 21-gun salute, music of the World War II era, a Color Guard, wreath placement and a flyover of a Stearman aircraft. Because seating is limited, people are asked to bring lawn chairs.
Monday
Resthaven Mortuary and Cemetery, 11800 W. Kellogg, 11 a.m. – Events include a flyover by the Jayhawk Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Featured speakers include Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell and Col. Bruce P. Heseltine, Jr., McConnell Air Force Base.
Veterans Memorial Park, 339 N. Veterans Parkway, 8 a.m. – The service includes a flag raising and presentation by Rev. Mike Leichner, combat veteran of the Vietnam War. A Color Guard and Rifle Detail is expected to participate. Seating is limited so people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Greenwood Cemetery, 6231 W. 47th St. South, 11 a.m. Featured speaker is Byron Barrientez, from the 47th Street Church of Christ. Assisting will be the Tornado Alley Young Marines, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Carol McDonald and Brad Reed from Central Community Church.
Lakeview Cemetery and Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St., 10 a.m. – Guest speaker is Chief Master Sergeant Sean J. Smith from McConnell Air Force Base. The Jayhawk Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will do a flyover.
Haysville
Monday
Waco Cemetery, 700 block of West 95th Street South (between Broadway and Seneca), 9 a.m. – Featured speaker is former Sedgwick County commissioner Tim Norton.
Winfield
Monday
Kansas Veterans Cemetery, 1208 N. College, 10 a.m. – Guest speaker will be (Retired) Colonel Mike Neer, U.S. Army. There will be a memorial balloon release, containing the names of 83 Kansas Service Members who died during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Music will be provided by the Winfield Municipal Band. People are asked to bring lawn chairs, as seating is limited. The Confederate Air Force Jayhawk Wing will do a flyover during the posting of colors.
Hesston
Monday
Hesston Cemetery, 8600 W. Dutch Ave., 11 a.m. – Featured speakers include Rev. Gary Blaine, pastor at Highland Trinity Church of Christ, Newton. Local Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will assist in the service. People are asked to bring lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, the service will be in the Hesston City Shop.
Places that will be closed
These city of Wichita facilities and operations will be closed on Monday in observance to Memorial Day:
City Hall, Neighborhood Resource Centers, Wichita Public Library locations, Park & Recreation Centers, Great Plains Nature Center visitor center, CityArts, Old Cowtown Museum, Mid-America All-Indian Center, Century II administrative offices, Transit administrative offices, Wichita Art Museum, Animal Shelter, Brooks Landfill, Water Center and Environmental Health.
There will be no Wichita Transit or Paratransit bus service.
Botanica Gardens will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday with a special concert at 2 p.m.
OJ Watson Park, Riverside Tennis Center and municipal golf courses are open regular hours on Monday.
This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Events to honor veterans on Memorial Day."