Wreaths laid at museum centennial ceremony for 441 Kansas Citians who died in WWI

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Scouts laid 441 wreaths Monday morning to honor Kansas City soldiers who died in WWI as the National World War I Museum and Memorial marked its 100th anniversary and the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.

Each wreath was made in Scotland entirely of red poppies.

The ceremony welcomed multiple elected officials, including Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver. The keynote speaker, Gen. Richard Meyers, was the 15th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dr. Matthew Naylor, president of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, said 150,000 people gathered to hear President Coolidge dedicate the memorial, which has been stewarded and cared for by the people of Kansas City.

“It reminds us of the responsibility that we all have to be playing our part in creating a free and just society,” Naylor said.

Scouts placed 441 wreaths at the National World War I Museum and Memorial on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. (Sharon Chen, KCTV5)

Messages from the ceremony focused on remembering and honoring the fallen. Speakers also emphasized how fragile democracy is and how Americans must carry on the ideals on which the country was built 250 years ago.

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