May 29, 2017
This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County
Historical Society.
Citizens of
Junction City maintained their observance of “Decoration Day” or “Memorial Day”
the last Monday in May of 1900. The
weather cooperated for outdoor celebrations.
By ten
o’clock in the morning the city was gaily decorated with the national colors
and the streets were thronged with people to witness and take part in the
parade. Some of the cavalry and
artillery units from Fort Riley, the Mounted Color Guard and the Fort Riley
Band led the procession to the cemetery.
The band was followed by the ladies, officers, boys on horseback, the
artillery and the 20th Kansas Volunteers. Then came a flower wagon with girls dressed
in white, the Junction City Band, the GAR Women’s Relief Corps and school
children bringing up the end of the parade.
On arriving
at the cemetery, the flower girls decorated the graves of soldiers. This was followed by a selection from the
Fort Riley Band. The artillery fired
salutes and then the procession returned to the city. At 2:00 PM, people met at the Opera House at
7th and Jefferson to hear a concert of instrumental and vocal
music.
Well, that’s
today’s story. We hope you take time
today to remember and show your respects to those who have served our nation to
protect our freedoms and ended up paying the ultimate sacrifice.
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