Gov. Kelly honors 6,500 fallen Kansas service members

TOPEKA, Kan. ( KSNT ) – Governor Laura Kelly honored more than 6,500 fallen Kansas service members and their families at the third annual Kansas Gold Star Remembrance and Recognition Ceremony at the Statehouse on Thursday.

The Kansas Gold Star Remembrance and Recognition Ceremony was first held after the signing of Senate Bill 330 in 2022. The signing established the Kansas Gold Star Families Memorial on the Statehouse grounds.

“For our Gold Star Families, there are no words or gestures that can ease the pain of such a loss or fill the void left in their homes and in their hearts,” Kelly said. “That will never go away. Gold Star Mothers and Family’s Day is an important reminder that the cost of freedom is enormous and enduring, even long after the battles to protect it have ended.”

Guests were invited to lay flowers to honor lost family members and service members. Following remarks from Kelly, she laid a wreath to honor those who have been lost.

“Today is a special day to honor the memory of Kansas service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. It’s also a time to express our ongoing support for the Kansas families who have lost their loved ones,” said Brig. Gen. Bill Turner, director of the Kansas Office of Veterans Services. “I want to thank our federal and state partners, veteran service organizations, the military department survivor outreach coordinators, and fellow Kansans for joining us for this important ceremony.”

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