Honor the fallen at Salina-area Memorial Day ceremonies
On a day that marks the unofficial start of summer, it's tradition to remember and honor those who died in active military service.
This Memorial Day, American Legions, VFW Posts and other groups will do their part to honor service members in ceremonies throughout central Kansas.
A special weekend of ceremonies and events has been planned in Salina with guests and a keynote speaker who have been influential in advocacy work on behalf of service members and their families.
Here are some ways people can honor the fallen in the Salina area during this weekend of remembrance.
Prisoners Of War/Missing in Action discussion with Ann Mills-Griffiths
When: 6 p.m. May 28
Where: American Legion Post 62/ VFW Post 1432, 1108 West Crawford Street
Ann Mills-Griffiths will be the keynote speaker for this year's Memorial Day ceremony held at the Salina-Saline County war Memorial in Sunset Park. In addition, she will be hosting a discussion on POW/MIA matters on Sunday.
As a recognized leader on POW/MIA issues, Mills-Griffiths has appeared before government leaders as an advocate for service members and their families. At 84, she is currently the Chair of the National League of POW/MIA Families.
Her decorated history of involvement in advocacy brings a breadth of topics to share with the public. She has served on the Advisory Committee of the Defense Department's 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration Commission.
She is a member of DAR, American Legion Auxiliary, Air Force Sergeants Association, a life member of the DAV and VFW Auxiliaries, and an honorary life member of the Special Operations Association and the Special Forces Association. In 2019, she was the recipient of the VFW Americanism Award.
"She's a national treasure," said Jason McIntyre, a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 62.
Gypsum Hill Cemetery ceremony with VFW Post 1432
When: 10 a.m. May 29
Where: 2020 East Iron Avenue
The ceremony will feature military organization honor guards, a firing squad with taps, and a service honoring veterans and fallen service members.
Roselawn Cemetery ceremony with American Legion
When: Immediately following the Gypsum ceremony, May 29
Where: 1920 East Crawford Street
The ceremony will feature military organization honor guards, a firing squad with taps, and a service honoring veterans and fallen service members.
Unveiling of a new monument at the Sunset Park War Memorial
When: 11 a.m. May 29
Where: 700 Sunset Drive
A new site at the war memorial will be unveiled by the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 62. The new monument is dedicated to 11 POW's from Saline County and Major Dennis Pugh, who is Saline County's only individual still MIA.
Special guests Dale Pugh (brother to Major Dennis Pugh, MIA), Salina Mayor Michael Hoppock, Keynote Speaker Mills-Griffiths, and Ambassador David Lambertson, the former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand and Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of State, will be in attendance.
A lunch catered by Applebee's will immediately follow the 11 a.m. ceremony, and take place at the VFW Post 1432 at 1108 West Crawford.
Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering county government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Ceremonies planned for Memorial Day in Salina
