Events in Wichita, south-central Kansas to honor veterans this Memorial Day

People across the country will observe Memorial Day on Monday to honor the veterans who have given their lives in service to their country.

Here’s what local organizations in and around the Wichita area are doing to commemorate and celebrate veterans this weekend.

WICHITA

Friday

Spirit AeroSystems, 3801 S. Oliver, 11 a.m. — The Kansas National Guard will support a Memorial Day program with featured guest speaker Col. Steven Smart, vice commander of the Kansas National Guard’s 184th Wing.

Sunday

Machinist Union Hall, 3830 S. Meridian, 2 p.m. — IAMAW District Lodge #70 will join the United Way of the Plains for the “Flags of Freedom,” a dedication of 600 American flags that will be on display through Memorial Day.

Monday

Maple Grove Cemetery, 1000 N. Hillside — As in years past, Boy Scouts of America troops will hand out flags and maps throughout the morning and afternoon at the front gate of Maple Grove for families to decorate veterans’ graves, said Jim Sampson, vice president of Maple Grove Cemetery. The BSA Troops will start handing out the flags and maps at around 10 a.m. Sampson said BSA troop members will leave around 2 to 3 p.m., depending on the amount of traffic coming through.

Lakeview Cemetery and Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th St., 10 a.m. — Services will be held inside the chapel. This year’s guest speaker will be Chief Master Sgt. Scott R. Piper, who serves as senior enlisted leader of the 22nd Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base, said Lakeview’s general manager Angelica Morris.

In addition to Sgt. Piper’s speech, Morris said BSA Troops 733 and 1733 will fold the American flag and play taps, and the Tornado Alley Young Marines will conduct a fallen soldier tribute. District 5 American Legion Auxiliary President Tracy Kinnick will read the poem “In Flanders Fields” to honor veterans, Morris said. Lakeview will also hand out craft poppies as a symbol to honor the fallen and support the living heroes who have worn the nation’s uniform, Morris said.

Veterans Memorial Park, 339 Veterans Parkway, 11 a.m. — Services will include a rifle salute, playing of taps and color guard, said John Offerman. Offerman, who is chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park Board of Wichita Inc. and a veteran himself, said he will speak at the event and serve as master of ceremonies. The event will take place at the park’s Flag Pavilion. Offerman said a limited number of chairs will be available; people can bring their own chairs if they do not want to stand. He said the service should take less than an hour.

Resthaven Mortuary & Cemetery, 11800 W. U.S. 54, 11 a.m. — Guest speakers at Resthaven’s 63rd Annual Memorial Day Service will include Sen. Jerry Moran and Lt. Col. Maureen E. Tanner, commander of the 349th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base. In addition to the guest speakers, the Jayhawk Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will perform a flyover.

Greenwood Cemetery, 6231 W. 47th St. South, 11 a.m. — During this year’s annual Memorial Day service, there will be music and members of the American Legion will ride in on motorcycles with flags, said administrator Genda Poulter. The Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct a show and the Tornado Alley Young Marines will hold a presentation to honor veterans. On the Saturday before Memorial Day, members of the American Legion and BSA Troops will place flags on veterans’ graves in the cemetery. Services will be held next to the chapel.

Botanica, 701 Amidon, 2-4 p.m. — The Delano Wind Ensemble will provide music at a Memorial Day concert on Botanica’s Grand Lawn and Dr. David and Mickie Brown Stage. The ensemble will play the music of Sousa, Bagley, Ray Charles, Irving Berlin and more. Admiral Windwagon Smith Barry Schwan will be the concert’s special guest. Food and beverages will be available, and general admission will apply. Botanica encourages guests to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Century II, W. Douglas and Century II Drive, 3 p.m. — Taps will be played in observance of National Moment of Remembrance.

WINFIELD

Monday

Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 1208 North College, 10 a.m. — During this year’s service, 83 people at the ceremony will be asked to place carnations in honor of those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, said Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery manager Chet Sweet. The guest speaker at the event will be United States Navy veteran Jim Buterbaugh, who served in Vietnam and the Middle East. The Winfield Municipal Band will provide music and if weather permits, the Commemorative Air Force Jayhawk Wing will perform a WWII vintage aircraft fly-over during the posting of the colors. Bringing lawn chairs is recommended, as seating is limited.

HESSTON

Monday

Hesston Cemetery, 8600 W. Dutch Ave., 11 a.m. — The guest speaker and master of ceremonies this year will be Neil McChesney, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the Hesston Veteran’s Memorial Committee. The Hesston Girl Scouts will give the Memorial Address this year and Richard Fulk will read the names of all veterans who have fallen this year as local Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts lay a floral tribute at the base of the memorial statue.

The service will also include playing of taps, the Wichita High School East JROTC color guard, an invocation and benediction by Rev. Scott Mill of Kingdom Life Church and more. The cemetery recommends that people bring lawn chairs due to limited seating, and welcomes anyone who would like to help with the ceremony. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Hesston City Shop.

DERBY

Monday

El Paso Cemetery, 700 E. Kay St., 9 a.m. — The Kansas National Guard will support a Memorial Day Program sponsored by the Derby Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter. Maj. Keith Marshall of the Kansas National Guard’s 184th Wing will be the keynote speaker at the program.

Wichita closures

In observance of Memorial Day, CityArts and the Mid-American All-Indian Museum will be closed Saturday.

Wichita Public Library locations, CityArts and the Mid-American All-Indian Museum will be closed Sunday, May 29.

These facilities will be closed on Monday:

City Hall, neighborhood resource centers, Transit administrative offices, Wichita Public Library locations, Park & Recreation centers, CityArts, Wichita Art Museum, Great Plains Nature Center, Environmental Health office, WATER Center, Brooks Landfill and the Animal Shelter.

There will also be no Wichita Transit or Paratransit service on Monday, May 30.

O.J. Watson Park will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shelters and rides will close at 5 p.m. and no fireworks are allowed at the park.

Wichita Public Golf Courses and the Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center will be open regular hours.

All branch libraries will be closed on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, while the Advanced Learning Library will stay open on Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

If you have any Memorial Day events to add to this article, you can email Nicole Klevanskaya at nklevanskaya@wichitaeagle.com.

This story was originally published May 26, 2022 at 5:00 AM.