27-05-2025
JoCo remembers veterans who died for our freedom at Memorial Day ceremony
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — An annual community ceremony was held Monday, to honor those who died while serving the United States.
Around 150 people packed into the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, on Metcalf Avenue, in Overland Park for the event.
'Today less than 1% of Americans can claim to be a veteran,' one speaker shared.
The event allowed many to remember and reflect on the price for our freedom.
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'It's everything to have the veterans here for this ceremony. It's all about them, right? The reason that we are here and able to do this, is because of them,' General Manager of the Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens, Bridget Anaya shared Monday. 'The purpose of Memorial Day is to honor the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, so we want to set aside at least a day to honor them and to honor their families.'
Anaya says this event has taken place for the last 10-15 years.
Debra Benson was a widow in attendance. Her husband was a World War II veteran and is buried at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens.
'Every Memorial Day, I come here,' Benson shared. 'He died in 2009.'
During the service, there were speakers, a memorial roll call, a rifle salute and playing of Taps and even a chance for guests to honor their loved ones who served in the armed forces too.
'When you give your life, you're giving it all. There's no coming back. I saw an awful lot of guys who I worked with and that I soldiered with who didn't make it back and I have a hard time going through that… remembrance,' John Martin said.
Martin is a World War II veteran. He uses this time to remember his former platoon leader, in the 84th Infantry Division of the United States Army, who he says, lost his life, while serving.
'He's the one that should be honored… people that don't come back,' referring to his former superior. 'It hurts because we honor all of these and we shake hands but we really gotta honor those that didn't make it back and think about them.'
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Martin will be 102-years-old this July.
'Oh yes, my secret is I pray to God. My savior kept me safe through all of my combat, not a scratch,' he shared. 'He protected me in every way that's why I'm here and a loving family.'
Staff say, nearly 4,000 veterans rest within the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens.
The event was also in conjunction with many area American Legion Posts and VFW posts.
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