American men and women who died defending freedom were honored Monday morning at the annual VFW Post 1913 Memorial Day service at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, where it was also announced the cemetery director will soon retire.
Kentucky Office of Veterans Services Executive Director Alvin Duncan was the keynote speaker and noted that Hopkinsville, Christian County and surrounding communities know the price of freedom, having Fort Campbell as a neighbor.
Richard Stanley has served as the cemetery’s only director over the last 18 years and says it’s been an honor to serve veterans and their families.
He announced that Kim Ebeling, who has served the last five years as an administrator at the cemetery, will replace him and become Branch Manager, effective June 15. Ebeling says she’s committed to maintaining the facility’s commitment to properly honoring those who have served.
Also on hand was former Kentucky Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Brigadier General (Retired) Les Beavers, who oversaw the opening of the local cemetery. He says Memorial Day is an occasion to remember those men and women whose lives were about so much more than just the day they died.
Another service hosted by the VFW was scheduled for 10 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery, with Duncan to be the featured speaker again.
Listen to the entire program below:
Richard Stanley
Kim Ebeling