Memorial Day Ceremonies at State Veterans Cemeteries, Nursing Homes

‘We’re forever indebted to these heroes for their service and their sacrifice.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the following video today honoring the members of our Armed Forces on this Memorial Day, May 29th:

FRANKFORT (May 25, 2017) – Kentucky’s four state veterans cemeteries and three veterans nursing homes will hold ceremonies this Memorial Day holiday honoring those who have died for our country.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, (KVCC) Radcliff:

Service begins at 11:30 a.m. EDT, Monday May 29. KVCC is collaborating with Fort Knox Command Group on the ceremony. Chaplain Lt. Col. Brain Crane will conduct the invocation.  The keynote address will be by Maj. Gen. Christopher P. Hughes, Commanding General of the Cadet Command and Fort Knox. The wreath laying will be done by Hughes and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth J. Kraus Jr. Salute to the flag by the 19th engineer battalion and the 100th United States Army Band will play taps and the service closing music.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West (KVCW), Hopkinsville:

Service is at 11 a.m. CDT, Monday May 29. KVCW is collaborating with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1913 (VFW) Hopkinsville on the ceremony. Opening remarks by John Brame, Commander VFW Post 1913 followed by speakers John Brams, Robert Kaminski and Walker Thomas.  Placing of the wreath by Brame and Richard Stanley, Director KVCW followed by John Brown playing taps. The closing prayer will be given by Chaplain William Poquette.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North (KVCN), Williamstown:

Services are at 11 a.m. EDT, Monday May 29.
The invocation will be given by Al Duncan, KVCN Cemetery Director followed by the posting of the national colors by the Grant County Veterans Honor Guard and Stephanie Price will sing the national anthem.  The Honorable Chris McDaniel, 23rd District State Senator of Kentucky will give the keynote address followed by a wreath laying ceremony by the family members.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North East (KVCNE), Greenup County:

Services begin at 10 a.m. EDT, Monday May 29 with a welcome by Frank Kees, KVCNE Director and posting of colors by the East Carter JROTC. The keynote address will be by 1st Sgt. (Ret) Vaughda Wooten. Doug Virgin will give the benediction and the American Legion Post 93 will perform firing detail and taps.

Joseph “Eddie” Ballard Western Kentucky Veterans Center (WKVC), Hanson:

Memorial Day Service Friday May 26 at 10 a.m. Chaplain K.C. Klarner will conduct the program and Park Avenue Pastor Len Young will give the invocation. The Hopkins County Color Guard will do the presentation of the colors. Resident Council President Dudley Riley will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Miss Lasia Vanlou will sing the national anthem. Honor guard member Calvin Walker will present “Freedom is not Free” reading and a video tribute to all veterans will be shown. Residents who have passed away during the past year will be remembered, followed by the playing of taps by Dr. Richard King. Retiring the colors will close out the program and Klarner will give the benediction.

Thomas-Hood Veterans Center, Wilmore:

Memorial Day service will be held 10:30 a.m. EDT, Monday May 29 in the multipurpose room.  Chaplain Maj. (Ret) Robert S. Barnard Jr. will give the invocation followed by the keynote speaker, KDVA Commissioner Brig. Gen. (Ret) Norman E. Arflack.  Family and friends are invited to the service and to place flowers to remember our deceased veterans. Pictures of residents who have answered their final role call this past year will be shown and taps will be played by Mr. Paul Prince. The benediction and closing will be done by Barnard.

Paul E. Patton Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center (EKVC), Hazard:

Memorial Day service will be held at 10 a.m. EDT, Monday May 29.  There will be a keynote address and Kelly Fugate will sing a medley of patriotic songs. EKVC’s eldest resident will place a wreath (donated by D.A.V), and the D.A.V will perform 21-gun salute followed by the playing of taps.  There will be refreshments and a PowerPoint presentation of those veterans who have passed over the past year. The Eastern Kentucky Quilt makers will then be honoring residents with homemade quilts.