Events to honor Kansas veterans on Veterans Day
Here are some planned Veterans Day observances across Kansas.
Wichita
Friday
Via Christi Hospital St. Francis, 929 N. St. Francis, 9:30 a.m. – The Honor Guard from the 184th Intelligence Wing will participate in a Veterans Day ceremony.
Regent Park Rehab and Healthcare, 10604 E. 13th St., 10 a.m. – The Honor Guard from the 184th Intelligence Wing will post the colors and participate in a flag-folding ceremony.
Via Christi Village on McLean, 777 N. McLean Blvd., 10:30 a.m. – Soldiers from the 997th Brigade Support Battalion will participate in a Veterans Day recognition.
Veterans Memorial Park, 330 Veterans Blvd., 11 a.m. – Featured speaker is Steve Gonzales, who served with the U.S. Air Force at DaNang Air Base and at McConnell Air Force Base. He is retired from the U.S. Postal Service and is vice president of marketing and community relations for Alpha One Drop Zone. A walking tour of the memorials will be available afterward.
Veterans Day Mass, Newman University, St. John’s Chapel, 12:05 p.m. – The Mass will honor those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. University chaplain Father John Fogliasso will give a special blessing for all current veterans. The Mass will conclude with a prayer for Father Emil Kapaun, who was born in Kansas and served in World War II and the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Following the Mass, the Student Government Association and Campus Ministry will host a light lunch in the Heritage Room across the hall from St. John’s Chapel.
Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, 5500 E. Kellogg, 1:30 p.m. – Col. Vonda Wigal, 184th Medical Group commander, 184th Intelligence Wing, will be the guest speaker at the Sedgwick County Veteran Volunteer Recognition program. Chief Master Sgt. Tom Nestor, superintendent, 184th Intelligence Support Squadron, will sing the national anthem.
Wichita State University Salute to Service, Koch Arena, 21st and Hillside, 5 p.m. – The Honor Guard from the 184th Intelligence Wing will participate in the ceremony.
Opening of new exhibit at Museum of World Treasures, 835 E. First St. – “Forgotten Heroes: Conflict in Korea, 1951-1953” is a new exhibit that includes new objects from the museum’s collection. At the exhibit opening, visitors can interact with Korean War veterans, talk with staff members and learn more about heroes of the Korean War.
Events throughout Kansas
All events are on Friday.
Newton
Newton Presbyterian Manor, 1200 E. Seventh St., 7-10 a.m. – All area veterans, spouses, widows and active duty military are invited to a free breakfast on Veterans Day. Pancakes will be on the menu. If you have questions, contact Noelle Dickinson at 316-283-5400 or ndickinson@pmma.org.
Derby
Lunch and Suit donation, Olmsted Insurance Agency, 1726 E. Walnut Grove, Suite No. 200 – Free. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a suit for donation. The collection of suits will run through Nov. 30. The suits will then be donated to veterans transitioning back into the civilian workforce.
Andover
Andover Elementary School, 1628 N. Andover Road, 10 a.m. – Lt. Col. Deb Balentine, chief of plans and programs, 184th Intelligence Wing, will be the guest speaker at a Veterans Day ceremony.
Sunflower Elementary School, 616 E. Douglas, 8 a.m. – Command Sgt. Maj. Manuel Rubio, command sergeant major for 69th Troop Command; Sgt. 1st Class Kristy Rubio, 1979 Contracting Team; and Spc. Clayton Rubio, 35th Military Police Company, will raise the flags for a Veterans Day recognition.
Douglass
Douglass Veterans Day Ceremony, 919 E. First St., 10 a.m. – Capt. Keith Marshall, 184th Intelligence Wing, will be the guest speaker.
Hutchinson
Veterans Day ceremony at VFW No. 1361, 328 N. Van Buren, 11 a.m. – Maj. Anthony Best, executive officer for the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, will be the guest speaker.
Abilene
Veterans Day Homage to all veterans, Eisenhower Presidential Library, 200 SE Fourth St., 9:35 a.m. – Featured speakers are Todd Hokanson, commander of General Dwight D. Eisenhower VFW Post No. 3279, and Eddie Avinger, commander of the James R. Cutler American Legion Post No. 39. The ceremony includes laying a wreath, rifle salute, and a bugler and will be near the pylons at the east end of the campus.
Emporia
Veterans Day Parade, 9 a.m. – The parade starts at Fourth and Commercial and runs through 12th and Commercial. Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment will participate.
Mulvane
Veterans Day Program at Mulvane Grade School, 411 SE Louis Drive, 8:30 a.m. – Tech. Sgt. Jacob Smith, 184th Operations Support Squadron, will be the guest speaker.
Rose Hill
Rose Hill Veterans Memorial, 125 W. Rosewood, 10 a.m. – Maj. James Bilby, commander, 184th Operations Support Squadron, will be the guest speaker. The 184th IW Honor Guard will sound taps at the program.
Veterans Day closures
Most city of Wichita facilities and operations will be closed on Friday: City Hall, Neighborhood Resource Centers, Wichita Public Library locations, Park and Recreation centers, Great Plains Nature Center, O.J. Watson Park, Botanica Gardens, Old Cowtown Museum, Century II administrative offices, transit administrative offices, Wichita Art Museum, CityArts, Water Center and Environmental Health offices.
Wichita Transit bus service and Paratransit service will not operate on Friday.
Mid-America All-Indian Center will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday.
The Animal Shelter will be open 1-5 p.m. on Friday.
Brooks C&D Landfill, Riverside Tennis Center and municipal golf courses are open regular hours on Friday.
This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Events to honor Kansas veterans on Veterans Day."