Alva Review-Courier -

Never had Kiowa's Riverview Cemetery looked more beautiful on a Memorial Day morning than it did Monday. Tall American flags lined the driveway and smaller versions waved from the ground. Volunteers had placed between 400 and 500 flags on the graves of veterans laid to rest there – a few even dating back to pre-Civil War days.

The crowd of patriotic folks gathered was much greater than usual. Besides the always meaningful Memorial Day service, immediately following was a memorial service for Marine veteran Don Kuenzi of Kiowa who passed away last fall.

At the regular Memorial Day Service Pastor Bud Ruggia, a decorated veteran, spoke. He said, "Many of these soldiers were young when they lost their lives, but they made a decision that they loved their country more than self. What they had in common is they were moved by a dream, a dream we call the United States of America. So as a grateful nation we come to say thank you – thank you for their service – thank you for your sacrifices – and the way you give to this nation and to this community year after year after year."

"That's why we lay a wreath here," Ruggia said as he placed a patriotic red, white and blue wreath at the flag pole.

As the memorial service for Kuenzi began, the flat-front semis the long-time cattle-hauler used in his career, were parked front and center beside the flag pole.

Kuenzi was known for helping other veterans get the benefits to which they were entitled; helping those who needed a helping hand; and befriending some young women and families who needed a friendly face.

Some of those women spoke at the service including: Krista Pollock, Lori Walker and Amee Stapleton. They told how Kuenzi was like family to them and why.

Pollock told how Kuenzi "loved technology and education, photography, history and sharing his love of patriotism with students" and the plentiful anonymous gifts he gave to so many. She had the crowd laughing as she told some stories about his stubbornness; his love of Diet Dr. Pepper; and his comical expressions and unique ways of expressing his opinion.

Yvonne Miller

The crowd gathered at Kiowa's Riverview Cemetery was impressed with the flyover by Bruce Papon in the old Army plane he restored.

Serving in the military as a "proud Marine" in the1960s, Kuenzi's military memorabilia is displayed at Kiowa's museum thanks to the Historical Society.

A Marine Honor Guard from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita came and presented a military flag-folding service in honor of Kuenzi. The Marines' precision was absolutely fascinating to watch. As if that weren't enough, Hardtner man Bruce Papon did a flyover in his 1942 Taylorcraft Army plane that was used for artillery spotters. Known as one of the L-birds, Papon spent four years restoring the plane. Watch the Newsgram in the next two weeks for a feature on Papon and his story about the L-Bird.

Papon said he wanted to do the flyover because he thought a lot of Kuenzi and said, "He was always nice to me. He was a good guy."

"I did this for all the veterans," Papon said.