WESTON, Mo. — A rendition of Taps rang out over Main Street on the morning of Monday, July 13 at the conclusion of the opening ceremony for Remembering Our Fallen — a traveling memorial to soldiers who died in the wars following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Started by Bellevue (Neb.) University in 2011, the project aims to create an individual display for each state that includes military and personal photos of those “who died from wounds suffered in the war zone while wearing our country’s uniform.” Missouri and Kansas are two of 22 completed exhibits, according to the group’s website, with hopes to have all 50 done by 2016 before putting them all together for a national tour.
The city of Weston decided to bring the memorial back to town on the 10th anniversary of Spc. Colby Farnan, a Weston Native who was killed at the age of 22 on Feb. 25, 2005 in Taji, Iraq while serving in U.S. Army. In conjunction, the city allowed Farnan’s family to create a separate display with mementos from his life.
Patrick Farnan — Colby’s father — delivered a message to those gathered at the ceremony outside the Masonic Lodge where the Remembering Our Fallen exhibit has been set up. He talked about the impact his son’s life has had since his death in the 20-plus minute speech.
The memorial to Colby Farnan is located inside the chamber of commerce building. Both will be on display through Sunday, July 19.
“This pain is going to kill us,” Patrick Farnan said. “We made it 10 years, 10 years. Until this year the last four or five were not bad. This 10th year is terrible. (All the memories) keep coming back. Some of Colby’s friends and guys in his unit get ahold of us. They miss him, too, as do the people of Weston — not only our family but the family of Weston.”
This marks the fifth time Remembering Our Fallen has been in Platte County. Donations are continuing to be accepted to fund its display.