Kraus: Memorial Day

Time to Remember

Each year as spring turns to summer, Americans everywhere pause to reflect on the lives and sacrifices of our military men and women, many of whom have paid the ultimate price for freedom. As Memorial Day quickly approaches, I would like to take a moment to share with every service member of past or present, a heartfelt appreciation for the extraordinary work they have accomplished. As the mightiest nation this world has ever seen, America would simply fail to exist without the courage, determination, and selfless acts of bravery that are so demonstrated by our servicemen and women each and every day. These extraordinary individuals represent the core of American exceptionalism and will forever warrant the gratitude of a proud nation.

On this special day, it is my hope that everyone takes a moment to reflect on the gift of freedom that will forever remain the core value of our nation. Freedom is an incredible heritage, paid for with the lives of those who fight to preserve it. It is those that we especially honor on Memorial Day. There is tremendous honor in every life sacrificed in pursuit of liberty, each of which will never be forgotten.

Whatever your plans are on this Memorial Day, I would encourage you to participate in some way or another. There are many opportunities to honor our servicemen and women, even if it means simply partaking in the freedom they have worked tirelessly to preserve.

And while we continue to recognize the sacrifices of past lives that have preserved our freedom, our thoughts and prayers are also with the men and women who continue to champion the cause of freedom today. To this day, there is an endless battle for freedom as demonstrated by our servicemen and women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in every corner of this world where threats to American liberty exist. To these men and women, let us never fail to offer our support and recognition for the incredible work they continue to do.

Memorial Day Service
Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery

To honor military veterans, the Lee's Summit VFW Post 5789 will conduct a memorial service at the flagpole in the Lee's Summit Historical Cemetery on Monday morning, May 31 at 8:00 a.m. I encourage you to attend.

The Post has held this traditional service each Memorial Day for more than 60 years. The Post is also sponsoring the annual Avenue of Flags at the cemetery throughout Memorial Day weekend. All of the flags displayed have draped the casket of a deceased veteran.

In addition, the Post will place a small flag on the grave of each veteran buried in the cemetery. The public is invited to attend the memorial service on the morning of the 31st.

Effort to Preserve Civil War Battlefield

Jackson County is the proud home of the Lone Jack Civil War Battlefield Museum and Soldier’s Cemetery, one of many memorials throughout our great state that continues to preserve the memory of our fallen soldiers. The Lone Jack Historical Society, in conjunction with the Museum, is reaching out for support to help preserve a parcel of American history.

A battle site from the Civil War sits about 10 miles east of Lee’s Summit. Approximately 270 men were killed in this particular battle in 1862, both Confederate and Federal soldiers, and are buried on site. This is one of the few sites where battle participants are buried where the federal government is not in control of the land.

Directors of the Lone Jack Civil War Battlefield Museum are concerned with the 33-acre plot of land and its future. Commercial developers have recently shown interest in developing the battle site and the land is currently for sale.

If you would be interested in helping to save this battlefield, please call Alinda Miller, President of the Lone Jack Historical Society, at (816) 805 1815.

Joplin Relief Effort

My deepest sympathy goes out to the residents of Joplin, who have suffered horribly as a result of a powerful tornado ripping through the area. I’m gratified that so many Missourians have responded by offering their help. Here are some links with information about how you can assist:

From the Lee’s Summit Journal: http://www.lsjournal.com/2011/05/24/67537/a-helping-hand.html

From the Lee’s Summit Tribune: http://lstribune.net/lees-summit-news/lee-s-summit-efforts-for-joplin-mo-relief.htm

From the Independence/Blue Springs/Grain Valley Examiner: http://www.examiner.net/joplin-tornado

From the Springfield-area News Leader: http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110523/NEWS01/105230356/How-you-can-hel

The Show-Me Response website where medical professionals can register to volunteer is found at https://showmeresponse.org/.

All others who want to volunteer their services who are not medical professionals can do so by calling United Way 211. To call, just dial "211" from inside Missouri or (800) 427-4626. United Way can also be contacted by going to their website to register at http://www.211missouri.org/. UW 211 works with other voluntary organizations active in disasters (VOADs) and will assist with coordinating volunteer deployments by matching up skills with needs. They are also getting a high volume of calls, so please be patient.

For persons wanting to check on loved ones who they cannot contact or for those who have survived: http://redcross.org/safeandwell

District Activities

This week, I toured Developing Potential in Independence. I appreciate very much the opportunity to learn about what this organization can do to help adults with disabilities. I also look forward to attending the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce breakfast this Friday.