TOPEKA (KSNT) – Veterans and others attended a Veterans Day ceremony at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in west Topeka Wednesday.
Law enforcement alongside former and active-duty veterans gathered at Mt. Calvary Cemetery to honor those who have made sacrifices while in service to the U.S. on Veterans Day. Held in the Holy Trinity Mausoleum, the Topeka Police Department’s Color Guard opened the ceremony at the cemetery alongside the American Legion band.
The pews were filled with loved ones of current and retired servicemembers.
“We need to remember vets, and we need to support our military and our emergency services, our law enforcement folks, and all that as well,” said Steve Christenberry, E5 Sergeant, Marine Corps, Son of Legions 1st District Commander. “But we need to remember the people that stood up and served to make our country safe.”
Hy-Vee hosts 27th annual Veterans Day breakfast in Topeka
In attendance were people of all ages and military backgrounds. We spoke with Father Peter Jaramillo, pastor and former colonel for the Kansas Army National Guard, who said veterans are the soul of our nation.
“We can’t forget veterans,” Jaramillo said. “And I think the veterans are just deep into the soul of our nation. And so, I think to remember them is absolutely necessary. Everybody knows of that and knows, should know, this story, at least to discover their story, because vets have so much to offer as they show us the depth of what the flag means.”
The veterans garden and memorial at the cemetery provides up to 800 burial spaces for veterans and their spouses. Surrounding the memorial are graves from the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.
“From my perspective as a veteran, I want to make sure we honor those who’ve fallen for our freedom in our country,” Christenberry said. “And just remember them, you know, remember their names. Remember who they were and, you know, we like we that’s why we do the wreaths across America thing, because it’s another way to remember our veterans.”
A close up look at Fort Riley’s Bradley fighting vehicles
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
