The community of Independence paid tribute to veterans and honored gold star families at Monday's Memorial Day Service at Riverside Park.

 

The ceremony was held at Veterans Freedom Square. Kansas Congressman and Independence native Derek Schmidt spoke at the event. Schmidt noted that Memorial Day honors the more than 1.3 million Americans who have died in service to their country, with nearly 650,000 killed in combat. He says all Americans owe a debt to those soldiers and sailors and their families.

 

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran was also on hand and gave the keynote address at the event. Moran says the City of Independence does a lot to honor its veterans.

 

Local dignitaries and representatives from the American Legion and VFW also spoke at the ceremony that recognized those in attendance who had lost family members in combat. Attendees also heard special readings of President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and of the John McRae poem In Flanders Field.