New Columbarium Wall dedicated at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery

A new columbarium wall was dedicated Monday afternoon at the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery during the annual Memorial Day service. The ceremony opened with Kara Boone singing the national anthem and Chaplain Madonna McDonald leading the invocation.

“Memorial Day is about the men and women who bravely served and paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said keynote speaker, Rep. Wayne Wallingford. “So this Memorial Day our country pauses to pay tribute to the sacrifice our veterans have made to this country and to reflect on what a blessing it is to be an American. Also we must ensure that the sacrifices of American fallen heroes are never forgotten because the greatest casualty is being forgotten.”

A large crowd gathered in front of the new wall for its dedication. The original columbarium wall reached capacity in January 2020, according to a release from the Missouri Veterans Commission. Construction on the new wall began in September 2020. The new wall, a $2.7 million project, was funded through the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund. This fund will be 100% reimbursed through the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program. According to the release the project was completed three months ahead of schedule. When the new wall reaches capacity it will house the cremains of 960 military veterans.

“It’s our honor, it’s our duty and our privilege to stand here today,” said Wallingford, “as proud Americans to remember our fallen heroes.”

Wallingford spoke of the sacrifice made by the fallen men and women of the military being honored Monday afternoon.

“These men and women we honor today did not answer America’s call with the purpose of laying down their life,” said Wallingford. “But they enlisted knowing it could be asked of them.”

Wallingford spoke of what drove these men and women.

“Only the strongest individuals possess such courage and love and make no mistake it is love that carries a soldier to greatness,” said Wallingford. “Each man and woman downed their life for love. Maybe it was for love of country, maybe the thought of protecting someone they love back home, or the love of their brothers and sisters in arms. There is no stronger emotion, no more powerful force than that of love.”

The new columbarium wall was dedicated by Bloomfield Assistance League President Blair Moran.

“You might say this columbarium is another monument to our liberties,” said Moran, “because each of those who will be interred in this facility will have a story for service, valor and sacrifice for our great nation.”

“Today we can guarantee those interred in this columbarium perpetual care that they so deserve,” said Moran, “from a government that will ensure this care with proper funding each and every year.”

Closing remarks were delivered by the executive director of the Missouri Veterans Commission Paul Kirchhoff.

“This (Memorial Day) is not a day set aside for all veterans, rather it is set aside to honor and mourn the military personnel who have perished in the performance of their military duties on behalf of our great nation,” said Kirchhoff. “Therefore it is fitting that we gather in these hallowed grounds to honor our veterans that have perished. Look around, each headstone you see, each nook in the columbarium represent someone who gave some part of themselves to preserve our freedoms and keep our nation the greatest nation on the face of the Earth.”

“It is an honor to be part of the dedication of this columbarium wall that serves as a final resting place for these heroes,” Kirchhoff continued. “It is a privilege to be in the presence of the family members of our state and nation’s heroes. Thank you all for coming out to pay homage to these individuals.”

McDonald returned to the mic and led the benediction. She had also led a patriotic reflection during the ceremony. The ceremony then continued with the ceremonial volley. It concluded with the somber playing of “Taps” by Stoddard County Honor Guard member Brad Williams.