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Never forgotten: Kansas City remembers the fallen during Memorial Day weekend

By Tammy Ljungblad and Emily Curiel
Eva Montis, 2, of Kansas City, carries an American flag during an outing to visit the grave of her grandfather, Gerald Johnson, an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam and is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Eva was with her mother, Kara Montis and grandmother, Brenda Johnson.
Eva Montis, 2, of Kansas City, carries an American flag during an outing to visit the grave of her grandfather, Gerald Johnson, an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam and is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Eva was with her mother, Kara Montis and grandmother, Brenda Johnson. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com

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Memorial Day weekend is a time of remembrance for many in the Kansas City area. See how the community celebrated their loved ones.

Crosby Taylor, left, and her mother, Sarah Taylor, of Shawnee, take time to reflect and pay tribute to William R. Jones, Crosby’s grandfather and Sarah’s father, during a visit to his grave at Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Jones, a Navy veteran, passed away in 2013.
Crosby Taylor, left, and her mother, Sarah Taylor, of Shawnee, take time to reflect and pay tribute to William R. Jones, Crosby’s grandfather and Sarah’s father, during a visit to his grave at Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Jones, a Navy veteran, passed away in 2013. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Grace Rice-Raymond, from left, and her cousins, Dave Fuller, and Joy Peacher, all of Kansas City, Kansas, look for the graves of seven family members to pay their respects and leave flowers at their graves at Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.
Grace Rice-Raymond, from left, and her cousins, Dave Fuller, and Joy Peacher, all of Kansas City, Kansas, look for the graves of seven family members to pay their respects and leave flowers at their graves at Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Vicki Sims of Leawood adds flowers and a flag to the grave of her father, Bill Browning, a U.S. Army veteran, during a visit Thursday, May 23, 2024, to Leavenworth National Cemetery ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Sims paid her respects with her husband, Bruce Sims.
Vicki Sims of Leawood adds flowers and a flag to the grave of her father, Bill Browning, a U.S. Army veteran, during a visit Thursday, May 23, 2024, to Leavenworth National Cemetery ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Sims paid her respects with her husband, Bruce Sims. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
An American flag marks a grave at Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.
An American flag marks a grave at Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
Mike and Brenda DeGraw of Lebanon, Missouri, pay tribute to Mike’s father, John Francis DeGraw, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and of the Army Reserve, during a visit to Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.
Mike and Brenda DeGraw of Lebanon, Missouri, pay tribute to Mike’s father, John Francis DeGraw, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and of the Army Reserve, during a visit to Leavenworth National Cemetery on Thursday, May 23, 2024, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Tammy Ljungblad Tljungblad@kcstar.com
140 U.S flags are displayed in front of the Liberty Memorial Tower, each representing a veteran lost to suicide in one week, at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City.
140 U.S flags are displayed in front of the Liberty Memorial Tower, each representing a veteran lost to suicide in one week, at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A Bell UH-1 Iroquois is on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City.
A Bell UH-1 Iroquois is on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Len Carter, a member of VVA Chapter 243 and an Army veteran, adjusts his hat adorned with a multitude of pins reflecting his time in the military while showcasing his collection of Army gear at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City.
Len Carter, a member of VVA Chapter 243 and an Army veteran, adjusts his hat adorned with a multitude of pins reflecting his time in the military while showcasing his collection of Army gear at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Charla Smith honors her father’s friend, Delmas L. Montgomery, who served in the U.S. Army, by placing a U.S. flag above his grave stone at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City.
Charla Smith honors her father’s friend, Delmas L. Montgomery, who served in the U.S. Army, by placing a U.S. flag above his grave stone at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Patricia Howard, left, and her husband Ernest, pay a visit to his parents’ grave at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City on Friday, May 24, 2024. They place flowers to honor her husband’s father, who was a Marine Corps veteran.
Patricia Howard, left, and her husband Ernest, pay a visit to his parents’ grave at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery in Kansas City on Friday, May 24, 2024. They place flowers to honor her husband’s father, who was a Marine Corps veteran. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
A U.S. flag is seen above the grave stone of Robert E. Funk, a U.S. Coast Guard World War II veteran, at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City.
A U.S. flag is seen above the grave stone of Robert E. Funk, a U.S. Coast Guard World War II veteran, at Forest Hill Calvary Cemetery on Friday, May 24, 2024, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

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