County Memorial Honors Decorated Veterans
By Kevin Gray
Under a cloudy sky and strong winds, a large crowd of about 300 people came together on Memorial Day for the dedication of a new monument to Miami County’s combat heroes at the Miami County Veterans Memorial site in Paola. The monument includes the names of Osawatomie’s own Ray F. Conklin, Ernest L. Jones and Cecil L. Prentice etched in stone.
Before the ceremony began, visitors used Sharpie pens for signing the monument’s cover, as it draped and kept the new addition to the site from view until the unveiling.
Family members, like Kevin Howland, Scott Koehler, LeRoy Koehler and Linda Greeve signed the cover and had attended to remember Woodrow Boyett, who had earned a Silver Star during World War II. Boyett had moved to Osawatomie in 2003, where he spent his final years of his life.
A tiny woman, Judy Conklin from Osawatomie, daughter of Raymond F. Conklin, born and raised in Osawatomie, stood proudly during the program with the speakers and VFW members on the reviewing stand. Only days before had she learned about how her father was being honored, along with 19 other combat veterans. She, too, signed the monument’s cover.
Families in attendance also represented James R. Patterson, Robert M. Patterson, John H. Knoche, Jackson W. Goss, Paul Popplewell, Charles T. McCoy, Arnold Debrick, Leon J. Miller and Timothy T. Nay.
Keynote address remarks by Terry Scott of Louisburg, Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy, retired, reminded listeners about the normality of those being honored. “They walked down our sidewalks, our streets and our gravel roads. They put up hay, shopped in our stores, played ball, went to church, they were members of our families, our friends. They were the best of Miami County and the best of America,” Scott said.
Scott also said Memorial Day takes on a far different meaning to families of loved ones who never came home.
Three men, their names etched on the monument, faced the covered monument for the unveiling. Tim Nay – Vietnam, Paul Popplewell – Korea and Arnold Debrick – World War II were able to attend the events. Nay grew up in Louisburg, Popplewell claims Fontana, Osawatomie and Paola as home, and Debrick the Block community.
Brigadier General Retired Dan Karr, who conducted the unveiling ceremony, said he was amazed with the monument. “I have never seen one to match this one or a Veterans Memorial site like this one here in Paola,” Karr said.
Due to the wind, the power cut out on the sound equipment a few times, but this only proved an inconvenience. “Unfortunately, like in the real military, we lost our air support because of the weather,” Bell said.
Ceremonies drew to a close with a 21-gun salute using a cannon operated by Paola National Guard Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery.
At the culmination of ceremonies, Richard Sobeck, before offering the closing prayer, recognized one more veteran, who had passed away on March 13. Viola Davidson of Paola had served as a WAVE officer during World War II and had been involved in scheduling and tracking the training courses of Navy airmen learning how to safely fly at night using radar.
Davidson’s family attended the ceremony because the name of Davidson’s brother, John H. Knoche, is etched on the monument.
But it was Davidson, the Paola VFW and Sobeck wanted to remember, along with the names etched on the monument. “May her wings in heaven be as grand as they were on earth,” Sobeck said. Davidson had also helped establish Tri-Ko Inc. in the early 1970s and served on the board for many years.
If anyone knows of a friend or relative who qualifies for placement on the monument, please contact Pete Bell, commander of the Paola VFW Post 3712 at (913) 294-1111 to nominate this candidate. “ There will be additions to these 20 names, and if they get a certain number of validated candidates – then they will most likely get their names inscribed and honored at another celebration in the future,” Bell said.
Veterans interested in placing names on the memorial wall, bricks or combat vet monument, please contact any member of the Miami County Veterans Memorial Board of Directors, Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home or call (913) 294-1111. Board Members are: Alan Bal, Pete Bell, Claud Davis, Carl Gregg, George Honn, Ed Hurlbut, Jack Johnson and Rob Roberts.
The effort to erect such a monument took over a year, said Bal, chair of the Miami County Veterans Memorial. “This just didn’t happen overnight. The community did a great job donating the funds, and this would not have come together without the efforts of Pete Bell”.
Patriot Guard, American Legion and Blue Knight motorcycle groups lined Baptiste Drive with their motorcycles and American flags. Providing music for the dedication were Dawn Lovelace and her husband Chris, representing Kansas City’s Saint Andrews Pipes and Drums. Baker University music student Margo Rodewald sang the national anthem.
Those honored are: Roberto Sousa, Distinguished Service Cross Korea; John P Edwards, Navy Cross WW II; Charles T. McCoy, Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross WW I; Joseph L. Butel, Navy Cross WW II; Arnold Debrick, French Legion of Honor WW II; Ray F. Conklin, Navy Cross WW II; Harvey C. Ringer, Distinguished Service Cross WW I; Harry C. Ricket, Distinguished Service Cross WW I; James R. Patterson, Distinguished Flying Cross WW II; Robert M. Patterson, Distinguished Flying Cross WW II and Distinguished Flying Cross Korea; Jackson W. Goss, Silver Star WWII; Paul Popplewell, Silver Star Korea; John H. Knoche, Distinguished Flying Cross WW II; Ernest L. Jones, Silver Star WW II; Thomas O. Chenoweth, Distinguished Flying Cross WW II; Cecil L. Prentice, Distinguished Flying Cross WW II; Leon J. Miller, Silver Star WW II; Dale L. Smith, Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star WW II Korea; Timothy T. Nay, Silver Star Vietnam; Woodrow J. Boyett, Silver Star WW II.
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on Jun 8 2011. Filed under News and Updates.
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