The Excelsior Springs community gathered at the American Legion downtown to honor and remember those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. “The American Legion believes in supporting all veterans past and present,” said Service Officer R.E. Holtz. Commander Ron Wetzel explained the event occurs annually and has been for as long as he could remember. “The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars give dedication to those who have died in battle and those who have served in life-taking situations,” Wetzel said. Guest speakers, Missouri Representative and Pastor Doug Richey and Clay County Sheriff Will Akin, addressed the crowd took to the podium in memory of fallen comrades and those veterans who could not come home after the war. Richey, who serves as law enforcement chaplain for the Clay County Sheriff’s Department and has eight years of combat engineer service in the Missouri Army National Guard, said it was a distinct privilege to be involved in the event…