Warrensburg remembers local heroes with Memorial Day ceremony and parade

“Throughout the history of this great nation,” says Warrensburg American Legion Post 446 Chaplain and Treasurer Mark Seaman, “men and women from Warrensburg/Thurman area have fought and won this nation’s wars. To those who fought to win freedom from tyrants, to those who fought to preserve the union, to those who fought for rights and justice, and for those who fought so that Americans can live free of fear, we honor each of you, especially those who have reported to Post Everlasting while serving.”

Seaman was speaking Monday morning at a Memorial Day ceremony held at the town cemetery on Hudson Street. Several hundred had gathered at the Veterans Memorial in the cemetery to remember and honor those who gave their lives in service of their country.

The ceremony began with Warrensburg High School senior Summer Krom singing the national anthem. Richelene Morey led a prayer with this request: “Heavenly Father, help us to be worthy stewards of the freedom entrusted to us. May we never allow division, selfishness, or indifference to weaken the unity purchased by the blood of patriots. Teach us to cherish one another as fellow Americans and to uphold the enduring principles of liberty, duty, faith, and sacrifice.”

The Warrensburg Jr./Sr. High School Band, led by Band Director Denise Foster, played the service anthem of each branch of the U.S. Military. Seaman then called the roll of Warrensburg and Thurman service members, beginning with those who fought in the Civil War, who died while serving and veterans who have died since last year’s Memorial Day ceremony.

The service concluded with a wreath-laying, three-volley salute and “Taps” played by Denise Foster. Those in attendance sang “God Bless America” accompanied by the school band.

The traditional Warrensburg Memorial Day Parade, which preceded the ceremony, stepped off from the Warrensburg Firehouse on Elm Street with a procession that included the American Legion, members of the VFW Haskell Brothers Post 4821, the Warrensburg and Thurman Fire Departments, the Warrensburg Youth Softball/Baseball, Girl Scouts, and an entry not seen in the parade for 25 years, Florence LaPoint dancers.

Florence LaPoint is well known in town not only for her decades-long tenure as a teacher at Warrensburg Elementary School, but also for her role as dance teacher. Over the years, hundreds of Warrensburg children took classes in her studio. LaPoint says she first began her Warrensburg dance school in 1968 and continued teaching through 2001.

When her school was in operation, her students would march in the town’s Memorial Day parade. Dance school alumna Erika Walker says she was a student at LaPoint’s school from the time she was three years old through her senior year in high school. Several months ago, Walker said, she thought, “We should be in this parade again.”

Walker put out a call on social media for Florence LaPoint Dance School alumni, and more than 50 responded. The plan to revive the LaPoint dancers’ participation in the parade was kept a secret from their teacher. The former students, all now adults, formed Florence LaPoint’s Majorettes, with two dozen marching up Elm and Hudson Streets with red and white pom poms. LaPoint was escorted in a golf cart alongside the troupe.