by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The annual Memorial Day Service will be held on Monday, May 26 at Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Wellington starting at 10 a.m.

Colonel Robert Hester of Wichita will be the featured speaker.

Hester is a field artillery officer who retired in 1995 after more than 26 years of active military service. He began his career in 1969 following graduation from West Texas State University and commissioning through the ROTC.

After being assigned to Germany to a Sergeant Missile battalion as a battery commander, he served in Vietnam and later retired to Fort Sill where he commanded a Field Artillery battery. 

Col. Hester has commanded at the battalion level and held staff assignments in personnel, operations and intelligence. One of his last experience in the military was Chief of Staff of III Corps Artillery at Fort Sill, the largest artillery organization  in the U.S. Army consisting of more than 10,00 sleris.

Since retirement in 1995, Col. Hester has been the Director of Army Instructions and employment for Wichita Public Schools.

The schedule for the service will be:

Welcome – VFW Commander/Elect Charles Lawless.

National anthem – Melanie Dawson.

Raising of the Colors – Pleasant Valley Color Guard.

Pledge of Allegiance – Commander/Elect Charles Lawless.

Invocation – Past VFW Western Conference Chaplain Lloyd Miller.

General Logan’s Order #11 – Quartermaster/elect Pete Soria.

Address of the day – Colonel Robert V. Hester, USA Retired.

Placing of the Wreaths – announced by Charles Lawless.

Saluting our comrades- Members of the Firing Squad – American Legion Post 90.

Taps – Melanie Dawson and Jeremy Burden.

Dismissal – Commander Charles Lawless.

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