by Therese Horvat
Special to The Leaven
Join millions of persons nationwide in a special tribute to veterans during an 11 a.m. outdoor ceremony on Dec. 14 at the Veterans Memorial, Resurrection Cemetery, 83rd and Quivira Rd., Lenexa.
Following the 30-minute program in observance of National Wreaths Across America Day, volunteers will place 900-950 wreaths on the graves and resting places of veterans interred at Resurrection Cemetery and St. John Cemetery, also in Lenexa.
The Knights of Columbus (KofC) Council of Palms #6673 of Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, is the lead sponsor of this event. J.D. Call, KofC program director and member of the coordinating committee, invites the public to attend.
“The Wreaths Across America ceremony, held in the sacred setting of a Catholic cemetery, provides a profound setting for persons of all faiths to reflect on the sacrifices of our service men and women,” he said. “The ceremony becomes not just an act of remembrance, but also an opportunity for spiritual support and renewal.”
Pat Thomas, Holy Trinity KofC, will welcome guests and make introductory remarks. A moment of silence will follow. Next, the Lenexa VFW Honor Guard will present the colors, and Msgr. Stuart W. Swetland, STD, president, Donnelly College, in Kansas City, Kansas, and a Navy veteran, will give the invocation. The American Legion Band Greater Kansas City will perform the National Anthem, and Eagle Scout Joshua Braun, Troop 181, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bryan Alonzo, director of operations and sales for Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas, will recognize the collaboration of community partners. Cheyne Worley, post commander, Lenexa Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), will acknowledge the dedicated men and women who have served the country.
Guest speaker for the ceremony will be Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Nickolas A. Smith, Regimental I&I, Combat Logistics Regiment 4.
Among the more poignant features of the program, local veterans will place ceremonial wreaths for each branch of the service at the Veterans Memorial in Resurrection Cemetery to honor those who passed away and those currently serving the U.S. A special wreath will be placed in remembrance of the 93,129 men and women from all branches whose last known status was either prisoner of war or missing in action.
Father Peter Jaramillo, SSA, pastor of All Saints Parish and St. Mary-St. Anthony Parish in Kansas City, Kansas, and retired chaplain colonel, Kansas Army National Guard, will offer the benediction. The program will close with the playing of “Taps” and the retirement of colors. Volunteers will then be asked to lay remembrance wreaths throughout the two cemeteries.
“When volunteers place a wreath on a service member’s grave, we encourage them to speak that person’s name aloud, thank him or her for their service and sacrifice, and reflect on their lives,” Call explained.
National Wreaths Across America Day is an event held every December since 1992 (except for two years of the pandemic). On this day, millions of volunteers across the country place sponsored wreaths at the final resting places of millions of veterans. The wreaths are delivered through the generosity of volunteer truck drivers and their companies and are sponsored by individuals and businesses.
This is the second year the Holy Trinity Knights of Columbus has sought donations and coordinated the event in Lenexa. Last year, the ceremony attracted approximately 300 to 350 persons with 900 wreaths placed and 50 volunteers involved. Call’s goal is that the event will continue to attract local support and interest.
For more information, contact Call at Callj1995@gmail.com or 913-961-1450.
