Veteran association holds Memorial Day celebration in Boone County

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For Memorial Day, the Mid-Missouri Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America invited the public to the Boone County Courthouse to honor Boone County Veterans.

Monday marked the 96th year of the Association's Memorial Day tradition and the association held a wreath-laying ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the Boone County Courthouse monuments in the veterans honor.

According to Veteranaffairs.gov, in 1966, Congress and former President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York as the “birthplace” of Memorial Day.

WATCH: A clip from the ceremony outside the Boone County Courthouse

Monday's ceremony lasted about 40 minutes and nearly two dozen wreath presentations were given by multiple veteran organizations.

People in attendance heard from a keynote speaker, music from the Columbia Community Band, and the Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes and Drums. A military firearms salute was also given by the American Legion Post 202 Honor Guard.

During the 2022 ceremony, nearly 100 people attended the wreath-laying ceremony, and over 20 ceremonial wreaths were put on display.

However, on Monday, about 200 people attended the event to pay their respects. Event organizer Thomas Corcoran says one goal this year was to get more engagement from the community.

Corcoran also says there is one thing he wants people to take away from Monday's event. "The main thing would be is a sense of satisfaction that you've honored the war dead. Those especially in Boone county," Corcoran said.

For those who still want to pay their respects, the wreaths will be on display until 3:00 p.m. Monday.