Community Commemorates 10th Anniversary with "Celebration of Service"

The Annual Celebration that honors 320 military service men and women had been canceled by the City of Garnett weeks ago, but upon hearing the news of nixing the event for this, the 10th anniversary, members of this rural community are stepping up to put it back on the calendar. The public is encouraged to attend this special event on Thursday at 6 pm on the Anderson County Courthouse lawn, 100 E. 4th Avenue. Please bring lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will move to the Anderson County High School Auditorium located at 1100 Highway 31, Garnett, Kansas.

The Garnett Remembers Patriotic Pole Banner Project was created in 2016. Military men and women who have served in the United States Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy with ties to Garnett and Anderson County are represented on these banners. The banners are proudly displayed throughout Garnett from just prior to Memorial Day weekend through Independence Day (July 4), or until the end of July.

The Celebration of Service honors all military service men and women, both past and present, and specifically the individuals represented through the Garnett Remembers project representing 320 individuals on 313 banners. This project and its annual celebration have brought together residents and extended family members from across the United States to recognize the selfless sacrifices of these individuals whose faces adorn each banner.

Highlights of the Celebration of Service event include instrumental performances by the Osawatomie Community Band and songs performed by Burt Peterson and Sheryl Urquhart. Local veterans will share short stories. Current and former military personnel along with patriot citizens will share in reading of the 313 names of the Garnett Remembers honorees. The Presentation of Colors will be performed by the Garnett VFW Post 6397 and American Legion Post 48. Those will military vehicles, such as Jeeps, motorcycles and classic cars are invited. The Kansas Patriot Guard and the American Legion Riders Chapter 156 (Paola) have received invitations.

The newest Garnett town square business, Posh Nosh, will be open 4-8 pm along with Southern Eats food truck, providing box meals that can be enjoyed either at their outdoor pavilion or walked across the street to the courthouse lawn to be eaten during the music entertainment and event. The Garnett Farmers’ Market on Main will also be available 4:30-6:30 pm, and area restaurants and some downtown businesses will stay open, such as 4th Street Flea Market and Antiques and Monroe 816.