I thought you would be interested in a few pictures from last weeks Wreaths Across America in Leavenworth National Cemetery forwarded by Lt. Col. Ronald Behm, CAP. https://plus.google.com/photos/107389441058820509976/albums/5822273017747218401?authkey=CNm9_JisuoWLWg&banner=pwa
I have been the KSSSAR Color Guard Commander for the last 4 years and this is my favorite event in Kansas. Special thanks to the men in the Color Guard for being there each of the last three years no matter the weather. This year it was a beautiful 51 degrees which is perfect for a Continental Uniform. If you were not with us this year please make plans to join us next December 2013. Daughters of the American Revolution were well represented and I greatly appreciate President David Comer and MC Compatriot John Hoag supporting us.
It doesn't get any better than participating with the Civil Air Patrol Cadets, each branch of the Service, and the POW/MIA Representative, etc. The WWII aircraft fly over was exceptional (see picture). It is a special at the end of the ceremony to march off the field and lead all of the attendees to the section chosen for the year. It is moving to hand out the wreaths to each participant as we tell them "God Bless You and Your Soldier". Lastly after passing out 800 wreath our uniforms smell like Christmas trees for a couple of months.
Thank you one and all, for your support and commitment to Wreaths Across America at Leavenworth National Cemetery.
The program is held in co-ordination with the same program at Arlington National Cemetery and some 800 cemeteries nation wide.
Fund raising resulted in the cemetery receiving 800 Christmas wreaths. The following participated last Saturday.
The
Heart of America Wing of the Commemorative Air Force based at New
Century Air Center conducted a WW II aircraft fly over at 11:00 AM. Col.
Steve Zimmerman, CAF Flight Leader / Olathe, KS.
Armed Services representatives placing their branch ceremonial wreaths:
Army - COL John Andrew, KS ANG / Topeka, KS
Navy - CPO Jermey Tomlinson / Blue Springs, MO
Marines - MAJ Ryan Geer / Leawood, KS
Air Force - Lt. Col. Cathy Hambleton / Lawrence, KS
Coast Guard - PO Jamie Mara / Manchester, CT
Merchant Marines - Coast Guard PO Kimberly Lawson / Yorktown, VA
POW/MIA - WW II SSGT Roy Shenkel / Shawnee, KS - Roy served as B-17 waist gunner, shot down, interned 13 months
POW/MIA - Escort Ray Calore, KS VFW State Chairman
Civil Air Patrol cadets will escort presenters.
KS ANG Military Funeral Honors Team - NCOIC Sgt1Class Keith Bartlett
Taps Bugler - Francis Stockton / Osawkie, KS
KS Society Son of America Revolution - Commander Bob Capps / Color Guard in revolution period uniform.
Basehor Elementary School - 5th grade teacher Michele Ablard - Her class, parents are major supporters wreath fund raising.
Lt. Col. Roger Eaton, CAP New Century Composite Sqdn / Leawood, KS - Leads CAP cadet participation.
Lt. James Mullin, CAP New Century Composite Sqdn / Shawnee, KS - Public Information Officer.
"Remember
at Leavenworth National Cemetery in December to let your flags fly and
they will look great in all of the pictures and videos."
God bless you and your families and Merry Christmas!
Bob Capps
KSSSAR Vice President
KSSSAR Color Guard Commander
South Central District Color Guard Commander
NSSAR Historic Sites, Celebrations & Reenactments Committee
