29th annual Whiteman Memorial Wreath laying Ceremony Saturday

Boy Scout Troop 61 prepares to raise the American flag Saturday morning as the 29th annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of 2nd Lt. George A. Whitman begins at Memorial Park Cemetery. The Whiteman Memorial Ceremony coincides each year Armed Forces Day, a national observance in the United States.

WAFB 509th Wing Cmdr. Brigadier Gen Paul W. Tibbets IV greets the crowd at the Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony Saturday morning. Tibbets was the guest speaker for the ceremony that included family members of the late 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman. He spoke to the crowd about Whiteman’s sacrifice, how his P-40 Warhawk aircraft was shot down by the Japanese Dec. 7, 1941, during World War II and how he became a hero for his country. “Today is really about honoring George Whiteman, and honoring his legacy and his service to our nation,” Tibbets said.

Heather Cronk, of Lee’s summit and Alex Berry, of Kansas City, the great-niece and great-nephew of the late 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman, lay a wreath on his grave at the close of memorial ceremonies honoring him Saturday morning.

Members of the Sedalia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2591 offer a gun salute as the 29th annual Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony comes to a close Saturday morning. The ceremony was hosted by members of the Military Affairs Committee and the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce.

Brigadier Gen. Paul W. Tibbets IV, WAFB 509th wing commander, holds the American flag, after it was retired and folded in a ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 61 Saturday during the Whiteman Wreath Laying Ceremony. The flag was presented to Tibbets by American Legion George A. Whiteman Post No. 642 Cmdr. Joe Cochran, who is facing Tibbets.

Boy Scout Troop 61 prepares to raise the American flag Saturday morning as the 29th annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of 2nd Lt. George A. Whitman begins at Memorial Park Cemetery. The Whiteman Memorial Ceremony coincides each year Armed Forces Day, a national observance in the United States.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TSD052217WhitemanWreath-1.jpgBoy Scout Troop 61 prepares to raise the American flag Saturday morning as the 29th annual Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of 2nd Lt. George A. Whitman begins at Memorial Park Cemetery. The Whiteman Memorial Ceremony coincides each year Armed Forces Day, a national observance in the United States. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

WAFB 509th Wing Cmdr. Brigadier Gen Paul W. Tibbets IV greets the crowd at the Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony Saturday morning. Tibbets was the guest speaker for the ceremony that included family members of the late 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman. He spoke to the crowd about Whiteman’s sacrifice, how his P-40 Warhawk aircraft was shot down by the Japanese Dec. 7, 1941, during World War II and how he became a hero for his country. “Today is really about honoring George Whiteman, and honoring his legacy and his service to our nation,” Tibbets said.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TSD052217WhitemanWreath-2.jpgWAFB 509th Wing Cmdr. Brigadier Gen Paul W. Tibbets IV greets the crowd at the Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony Saturday morning. Tibbets was the guest speaker for the ceremony that included family members of the late 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman. He spoke to the crowd about Whiteman’s sacrifice, how his P-40 Warhawk aircraft was shot down by the Japanese Dec. 7, 1941, during World War II and how he became a hero for his country. “Today is really about honoring George Whiteman, and honoring his legacy and his service to our nation,” Tibbets said. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Heather Cronk, of Lee’s summit and Alex Berry, of Kansas City, the great-niece and great-nephew of the late 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman, lay a wreath on his grave at the close of memorial ceremonies honoring him Saturday morning.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TSD052217WhitemanWreath-3.jpgHeather Cronk, of Lee’s summit and Alex Berry, of Kansas City, the great-niece and great-nephew of the late 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman, lay a wreath on his grave at the close of memorial ceremonies honoring him Saturday morning. Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Members of the Sedalia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2591 offer a gun salute as the 29th annual Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony comes to a close Saturday morning. The ceremony was hosted by members of the Military Affairs Committee and the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TSD052217WhitemanWreath-4.jpg

Members of the Sedalia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2591 offer a gun salute as the 29th annual Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony comes to a close Saturday morning. The ceremony was hosted by members of the Military Affairs Committee and the Sedalia Chamber of Commerce.

Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat

Brigadier Gen. Paul W. Tibbets IV, WAFB 509th wing commander, holds the American flag, after it was retired and folded in a ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 61 Saturday during the Whiteman Wreath Laying Ceremony. The flag was presented to Tibbets by American Legion George A. Whiteman Post No. 642 Cmdr. Joe Cochran, who is facing Tibbets.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_TSD052217WhitemanWreath-5.jpg

Brigadier Gen. Paul W. Tibbets IV, WAFB 509th wing commander, holds the American flag, after it was retired and folded in a ceremony by Boy Scout Troop 61 Saturday during the Whiteman Wreath Laying Ceremony. The flag was presented to Tibbets by American Legion George A. Whiteman Post No. 642 Cmdr. Joe Cochran, who is facing Tibbets.

Photos by Faith Bemiss | Democrat