KC honors soldier killed in Iraq war

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Under clear skies and a cool breeze, the Memorial Day celebrations in Kansas City opened with a parade of personnel from each military branch set to the patriotic melodies of the city's American Legion band.

The event's main honoree was Cindy Butler, whose son, U.S. Army Sgt. Jake Butler, was the first Fort Riley, Kan., soldier killed in Iraq last April.

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden, retiring Democratic Rep. Karen McCarthy and retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jim Benn were among the many speakers.

"The price of freedom is indeed high," Holden told the crowd gathered on the grass surrounding the memorial. "And memorials such as this one play a critical role in reminding our ancestors of that."

Holden made a proclamation Monday that encouraged Missourians to continue honoring veterans, including the 24 Missouri troops he said are among the more than 800 men and women to have lost their lives in the Iraq war.

McCarthy followed Holden's speech with a similar sentiment. This month she co-sponsored a bill in Congress to name Kansas City's 78-year-old landmark as America's foremost national World War I museum.

The congresswoman, who recently visited troops in Afghanistan, discussed the purpose of Memorial Day in quoting the only president from Missouri, Harry Truman.

"There is no such thing as an inevitable war," she said. "If war comes, it will be from the failure of human wisdom."