Kaylie McLaughlin
Kaylie McLaughlin
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PHOTOS: Johnson County’s Veterans Day celebration

Community members, veterans and their families gathered on Friday to recognize Veterans Day at Johnson County’s official observance of the holiday. 

Robert Watson, a World War II Army veteran who celebrated his 100th birthday last week, was recognized as a special guest of honor.

He was met with resounding applause, a standing ovation and a spontaneous rendition of, “Happy Birthday.” 

Additionally, members of the veterans community and their loved ones laid wreaths in honor of veterans from various wars and groups. Students from the Olathe Northwest Raven Pride Marching Band and the Mill Creek Elementary choir performed. 

This year, Johnson County marked its 37th annual Veterans Day observance, celebrated this year at the Kansas Army National Guard armory in Lenexa. 

Here are some scenes from Friday’s event.

Veterans rise when the official marchpast for their branch of the military is played during the Olathe Northwest band's rendition of "Armed Forces Salute" during Johnson County's annual Veterans Day Observance.

Johnson County Chair Mike Kelly led the county's Veterans Day observance event on Friday, Nov. 10.

Veterans rise when the official marchpast for their branch of the military is played during the Olathe Northwest band's rendition of "Armed Forces Salute" during Johnson County's annual Veterans Day Observance.

Students from the Mill Creek Elementary choir performed at the 37th Annual Johnson County Veterans Day Observance event on Nov. 10, 2023.

Debbie Murchison-Perri lays a wreath on behalf of Gold Star Families at the Johnson County Veterans Day Observance event on Nov. 10, 2023. Her son Army Specialist Matthew Murchison, was killed in Iraq in 2007.

Many gathered at the Kansas Army National Guard Armory in Lenexa for the Johnson County Veterans Day Observance event.

Kansas Army National Guard Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt was the featured speaker at the 37th Annual Johnson County Veterans Day Observance event.

The Olathe Northwest Raven Pride Marching Band performed many songs at the Johnson County Veterans Day Observance event, including the "Armed Forces Salute."

During the 37th Annual Johnson County Veterans Day Observance Event, veterans and their families presented wreaths while students from Mill Creek Elementary sang. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

Many gathered at the Kansas Army National Guard Armory in Lenexa for the Johnson County Veterans Day Observance event.

About the author

Kaylie McLaughlin
Kaylie McLaughlin

Hi! I’m Kaylie McLaughlin, and I cover Overland Park for the Johnson County Post.

I grew up in Shawnee and graduated from Mill Valley in 2017. I attended Kansas State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2021. While there, I worked for the K-State Collegian, serving as the editor-in-chief. As a student, I interned for the Wichita Eagle, the Shawnee Mission Post and KSNT in Topeka. I also contributed to the KLC Journal and the Kansas Reflector. Before joining the Post in 2023 as a full-time reporter, I worked for the Olathe Reporter.

Have a story idea or a comment about our coverage you’d like to share? Email me at [email protected].

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