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Feature article
Robert W. Chenoweth
913-371-4040
May
29, 2008
Veterans Memorial dedicated at Resurrection Cemetery
A rainy day in no way dampened spirits or attendance as a crowd
of an estimated 500 persons gathered on Memorial Day, May 26, for
Mass and the dedication of the new Veterans Memorial at Resurrection
Cemetery, Lenexa, Kan.
The Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann, archbishop of the Archdiocese of
Kansas City in Kansas, celebrated Mass in the Prince of Peace Mausoleum.
Following Mass, the archbishop led the procession to the outdoor
memorial for the dedication ceremony.
In his remarks, Archbishop Naumann said, “It is important
to remember those who have gone before us, the heroism of our soldiers
and their families who have suffered a loss. This motivates us to
pray and work for peace.“We remember today that there are
still brave American soldiers,” he continued. “Pray
for those who make heroic sacrifices today to protect our nation
and our freedom.”
Archbishop Naumann blessed each of the monuments to the five branches
of the Armed Services. The black granite monuments have replicas
of each service’s emblem. Between the monuments are walls
on which names of Veterans can be engraved for a donation. Flags
of each branch of the service wave above the respective monuments.
A walkway of paver bricks leads to the patio and flagpole with the
U.S. flag. The bricks can also be engraved to honor or memorialize
Veterans living or deceased.
Flag-raising
begins the day
The Memorial Day observance at Resurrection Cemetery began at the
memorial site with the flag-raising, a 21-gun salute and the playing
of Taps by the American Legion, Dwight Cowles Post 370. Celebration
of the Mass relocated indoors to the mausoleum where Rev. Ken Kelly
and Rev. Jerry Spencer, both members of the Catholic Cemeteries
Board of Trustees, concelebrated with Archbishop Naumann. In his
homily, Father Kelly described the origins of Memorial Day and recognized
Veterans of different wars attending the Mass.
Robert Chenoweth, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries, acknowledged
the work of the artisans involved in the design and installation
of the memorial: Robert E. Tucker, Jr., Cemetery Development Association,
Inc., Covington, La., designed the memorial.
Chenoweth also told the gathering that of the 352 burial spaces
surrounding the new Veterans Memorial, a record number of 166 has
already been assigned. In the short time this veterans’ section
has been available, 22 burials have occurred.
Burial space in this section is available at no charge to veterans.
The veteran is responsible for expenses associated with opening
and closing the gravesite, the vault and a setting fee for the marker;
the U.S. government furnishes the grave marker. For additional fees,
the veteran’s spouse can acquire adjoining space and cover
expenses associated with the opening, closing, vault and marker.
For more information about the Veterans Memorial, the veterans’
section or Catholic Cemeteries, call 913-371-4040, email information@catholiccemeterieskc.org
or visit www.catholiccemeterieskc.org.
Sidebar article to above
Memorial
giving opportunities: Merchant Marines to be remembered
For a contribution of $100.00, persons can remember a living or
deceased veteran by having that individual’s name engraved
on the monument wall or a pavered brick in the walkway or patio.
Opportunities remain to sponsor the granite monuments, flagpoles
and capstone benches.
At the May 26 dedication ceremony, Robert W. Chenoweth, executive
director of Catholic Cemeteries, announced that the brick patio
area of the memorial will be completed this summer. By Veterans
Day (Nov. 11), the memorial will be expanded to include a monument
to the Merchant Marines, who have official veteran status.
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