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Mona Casady of Springfield places fresh peonies on the Springfield National Cemetery grave of her husband, Cleo, who served in the US Navy for 29 years including time on PT boats in the Pacific during World War II. Casady said that this was the first time her peonies had been in bloom on Memorial Day since her husband died in 1992 adding, “I’m so glad they have the flags on all the graves this year.” (Photo by Jym Wilson)
The family of William and Catherine Walker, of Joplin, form a prayer circle around the couple’s grave site at Springfield National Cemetery. William Walker was in the US Navy during World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars serving as a radio man. Catherine Walker also served during World War II, recording eyewitness reports in various parts of the world. The family has gathered for Memorial Day weekend since 1985 when William Walker died. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Skip Walker, of Joplin, prays at the gravesite of his parents, William and Catherine Walker, the Sunday before Memorial Day. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Skip Walker, back left, and his sister Patty Walker Kruce, at right in blue top, and other family members, watch as Patty’s husband, Richard Kruce, places a flag at the gravesite of Skip and Patty’s parents Sunday morning. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Springfield National Cemetery was established in 1867 and holds the remains of many soldiers who died in the Civil War Battle of Wilson Creek.
An 1871 report recorded 832 “known” and 689 “unknown” graves in the cemetery. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
A colorful collection in red, white and blue marks the gravesite of Johnnie H Peine and his wife Marjory. Johnnie served as a TEC 5 in the US Army during World War II. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
A penny left on a headstone at the the Springfield National Cemetery serves as a message to the deceased’s family that he or she had a visitor. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Flags have been placed in front of headstones for members of the US military and their spouse at the Springfield National Cemetery to mark Memorial Day. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Originally known as Decoration Day, renamed after World War I, Memorial Day is intended to honor Americans who died in the country’s wars. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Lee and Don Wadsworth of Witchita,KS visit the grave of her great uncle, Leon Alsup and his wife Dovie. Leon served in the Army during World War II and was wounded during the war,
The Wadsworths visit the graves of family members. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Jeff Worley, of Pryor, OK brings flowers to the grave of his late wife’s great-grandparents Springfield National Cemetery on Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo by Jym Wilson)
Steve Christeson of Springfield, makes what he described as a circuit - visiting the graves of friends and family members at the Springfield National Cemetery on Memorial Day Weekend. (Photo by Jym Wilson)



Jym Wilson

Jym Wilson is a veteran photojournalist who has covered a multitude of topics throughout his career. He’s a Vermont native who began his career at the Burlington (VT) Free Press. He worked as a photo editor at USA Today for 18 years, specializing in entertainment coverage. His work has appeared in the Hauxeda since the day of its launch in 2022.
Email: jymwil@gmail.com More by Jym Wilson