Armed Forces Day to be observed Saturday at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery

    Eight buglers from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas — including a 12-year-old boy — will perform during the Echo Taps Armed Forces Day 2008 ceremony Saturday at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Dodge.
    James Perusich, 12, of Derby will be among the buglers who perform a cascading version of the 24 notes of “Taps.” James will play the trombone to honor all veterans, but especially his grandfather, Donald Veatch, a Vietnam War veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
    James is a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and his special interest is military history.
    James’ mother, Staff Sgt. Jami Lynn Perusich, also will be one of the buglers for the ceremony. She is an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and has played "Taps" at many military funerals. She is also a  member of the Kansas Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders Post 136 in Mulvane.
    Harry Whistler, 100, of Independence, the oldest World War II veteran in the state, will be recognized as the guest of honor during the ceremony, which will begin at 11 a.m. Members of the Patriot Guard will also attend.
    Cemetery manager Gwen Seymour will give the welcome and introduction, followed by a three-volley salute by Howard Gotschall Post 1714 of the VFW.
    “Echo Taps is not being held nationwide this year; however, the Kansas Veterans’ Cemeteries will carry on the tradition at Fort Dodge, WaKeeney and Winfield,” Seymour said.
    Other Echo Tap buglers will include John Wolfe of Corinth, Texas, and Mary Sallee of Beaver, Okla., who plays to honor her grandfather, who died at Okinawa during World War II. Kansas buglers will be Charles Buechman of Larned, Justin Harms of Bazine, Brad Murray of Greensburg and Daniel Grubb of Ellinwood.
    Closing remarks will be given by Seymour, and a barbecue will take place following the ceremony for all guests who attend.
    For further information about the ceremony, contact Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery manager Gwen Seymour at (620) 338-8772.