WHEATLAND — Memorial Day 2024 was once again a celebration to remember honoring those Veterans that have passed on and fought for the freedom we all enjoy daily. Celebrations started on Saturday at the cemetery where Veterans from VFW Post 3558, American Legion Post 10, Scouting America (formerly called Boy Scouts) and others came and placed over 900 little flags on the headstones of Veterans. Monday the celebrations continued with the Lobos baseball team joining the Veterans at the cemetery and helping put up the Parade of Flags. Two hundred ninety-four casket flags provided by local veteran families fly proudly with a name plate honoring a special Veteran. It is a sight to behold honoring so many.
After the flags go up, the ceremony came next and was held at the Agriplex. Many came together to honor those that passed away this year. Special guests were retired U.S. Army Col. Tim Sheppard, Boys and Girls State Representatives Oliver Jones and Karly Jones, Justin Herdt of DJ Magik provided the sound equipment and Cindy and Mike Geile provided the beautiful songs and music. Brandon Graves was thanked for representing the town and all the hard work the employees do in keeping the cemetery so beautiful and well maintained.
The program began with the presentation of flags from the Platte County Veterans and Chuck Brown leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Tom Borton then gave the invocation. Rod Birkle (Commander of Post 3558) and Steve Anderson (Commander of the American Legion) took turns naming off the Veterans who have passed since Memorial Day 2023. Nick Herrera rang the final bell call for every soldier that was named. American Legion President Linda Virant and VFW Auxiliary President Ruth Herdt laid the poppy wreath, with Karly and Oliver reading the poem Flanders Field. To end the ceremony a 21-gun salute rang out from the Platte County Veterans with Taps playing for the final time ending the soldiers’ watch and those still standing will now step up take over for them. Refreshments after the ceremony were provided by the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries.