Memorial Day 2008
Col. Robert S. Arthur, 442nd Fighter Wing commander, stands at attention with the Whiteman Air Force Base Honor Guard while the Kansas City Symphony plays the Air Force Song to observe Memorial Day, May 25, 2008. The members of the honor guard are, left to right, Airman 1st Class Gregory Diaz, Airman 1st Class Jonathan Leonard, Senior Airman Andrew Hammes and Airman 1st Class Brian Lowes. Colonel Arthur was the military master of ceremonies for the annual "Celebration at the Station" observance produced by the Kansas City Symphony at Union Station and the World War I Liberty Memorial in downtown Kansas City. The evening's events included patriotic music performed by the symphony, as well as ceremonies honoring all members of the U.S. armed forces in front of more than 40,000 spectators. The 442nd Fighter Wing is an Air Force Reserve A-10 Thunderbolt II-unit based at Whiteman. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. David Kurle)