Memorial Day ceremony honors fallen service members at Emporia's All Veterans Memorial

Community members gathered Monday at the All Veterans Memorial to honor military members who died in service to the nation during Emporia's annual Memorial Day ceremony, which blended remembrance, personal stories and recognition of the memorial's own history.

Ashley Mitchell, an Army veteran and ceremony emcee, opened the event by emphasizing the purpose of Memorial Day and the importance of remembering those who served.

"Today we pause as a nation to remember," Mitchell said. "We remember the courage, the sacrifice, and the lives given in service to our country."

The ceremony included the raising of the American flag, a prayer led by an Army veteran and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Emporia City Commissioner Tammy Ogle.

Featured speaker Fran O'Leen, a retired lieutenant colonel with 31 years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve, Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Air National Guard, used personal stories to illustrate the meaning behind Memorial Day.

Among the stories shared was that of Sgt. Grant Timmerman, an Emporia High School graduate and Medal of Honor recipient who was killed during World War II after sacrificing himself to save fellow soldiers inside his tank after a grenade was thrown into its turret.

O'Leen also spoke about West Point cadet Tom Serdyke, who died after saving another person from a riptide; Navy Corpsman Max Soviak, one of the service members killed during the 2021 Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan; and Emporia native Staff Sgt. Michael Hubert, who died in Vietnam in 1969.

"Memorial Day is actually a gratefulness day," O'Leen said. "Find the stories. Talk to veterans. We all have stories of people we've lost."

A memorial roll call followed, led by Gold Star Mother Maria Lane and Navy veteran Jamie Potter, recognizing local veterans who have died during the past year. Lane reflected on the significance Memorial Day holds for Gold Star families.

"For Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star Families, Memorial Day is our fallen sons and daughters' holiday," she said.

Attendees later participated in a flower placement ceremony accompanied by music from the Emporia Municipal Band. Flowers were placed at memorial flag poles and in the water surrounding the memorial.

The event also marked the 35th anniversary of the All Veterans Memorial. During a historical update, a presenter highlighted the memorial's growth from a single World War II tank display into a community landmark supported by volunteers and donations. Lowery announced that Tablet 15, which will contain additional veterans' names, is currently being engraved and will soon be installed.

Closing the ceremony, Mitchell encouraged younger veterans to stay connected and involved with organizations that support military families and veterans.

"Let us remember that freedom is never guaranteed," Mitchell said. "It is preserved through sacrifice, unity and grateful hearts."

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 9:37 AM.