The Newkirk Herald Journal

Staff Report
This Memorial Day, 240 veterans buried in Newkirk’s cemetery were finally given their own markers as a result of the efforts of Kim Shanks. According to Shanks, there will be more to come.
“Freedom isn’t free.  It’s a phrase we often hear, but for me, it’s a daily meditation,” Shanks posted about her efforts. “It crosses my mind as I drive my boys to sports, attend our chosen church, or head to work. These daily tasks are more than just a routine; they are liberties — small but significant freedoms enabled by the sacrifices of those who came before us.”
For years, she wrote, she volunteered to place American flags on veterans’ graves before Memorial Day. However, she said, the task often left her with a heavy heart because many veterans lay in unmarked graves with no medallion, foot stone or other symbol to indicate their service.
“The thought of a veteran going unrecognized felt like a defeat,” she said.
Eight years ago, she began to comb through cemetery records and mapped every veteran’s location. The inventory revealed a sobering reality: of the 750 veterans buried in Newkirk Cemetery, 350 had no marker to identify their service.
The Newkirk American Legion Auxiliary wanted to help, she said, but funding for 350 commercial flag holders was a massive financial hurdle.
A chance encounter Shanks had in a vehicle service center waiting room changed everything.
“As I waited for my car,” she said, “a man wearing a Vietnam veteran cap sat down across from me. I thanked him for his service, and we struck up a conversation.”
She said his name was Bill Ross, a 22-year Commander of the Jake Reigel American Legion Post 0048 in Walsh, Co. He told her he had personally welded a cross for every veteran in his local cemetery — a project that took an hour of labor per cross.
“When I asked if he would help us bring that same honor to Newkirk, he didn’t hesitate. He even shared a blueprint for success: involving the local FFA chapter,” Shanks said.
She then reached out to the local FFA Livestock Booster Club, which is eager to give back to the community. With the group’s support, she successfully applied for the necessary grants.
The project officially took flight in the fall of last year. On five Saturday mornings, a dedicated team of students, volunteers from the FFA Livestock Booster Club, and members of the Newkirk American Legion Auxiliary gathered to work.
Together, they built the first 240 crosses. Shanks added that they will return in the fall to build the remaining markers.
Soon, she said, every one of the 750 veterans in Newkirk Cemetery will have a visible symbol of the community’s gratitude.
She made sure to mention that contributions can be made to the Newkirk American Legion Auxiliary. Welding and metal work volunteers are also welcome to support this project.