The public is invited to the State Capitol in Topeka Tuesday, Feb. 11 to celebrate Kansas Armed Forces Appreciation Day. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with informational displays from various military branches and support organizations set up on the second floor Capitol rotunda.
Governor Laura Kelly will meet with commanders from the Kansas National Guard, Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, McConnell Air Force Base and the U.S. Coast Guard Pay Center in Topeka.
At 9:20 a.m. Governor Kelly will sign a proclamation designating Feb. 11 as Armed Forces Appreciation Day in Kansas. Immediately following Governor Kelly will also greet members of the Governor’s Military Council, leaders of veteran support organizations and recipients of the State of Kansas Vietnam Veteran’s Medallion and sign a proclamation designating March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day.
At approximately 9:40 a.m. Governor Kelly will present awards to five Kansas National Guardsmen.
“While the men and women who serve in the Kansas National Guard are all worthy of our respect and honor, these Guardsmen have earned special recognition for their outstanding achievements and devotion to duty,” Governor Kelly said. “On behalf of all Kansans, I thank them for their dedicated service.”
Kansas Army National Guard members, Sgt. 1st Class Cody Breon, Phillipsburg, and Spc. Joseph Minder, Lawrence, will receive the Army Commendation medal for their first-place finishes as Best Warrior Noncommissioned Officer and Best Warrior, respectively, in the 2024 Kansas Army National Guard Best Warrior competition. The competition is designed to test all aspects of a Soldier’s physical and mental fitness. Over a four-day period, enlisted and noncommissioned officer participants were tested on their expertise in Soldier common tasks, weapons proficiency, physical fitness, and comprehensive military knowledge.
Kansas Air National Guard members being recognized for their outstanding professionalism, leadership and dedication to mission accomplishment are Master Sgt. Hunter “Dial” Thurston, Wichita, Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year; Staff Sgt. Darian Leasher, Maize, Outstanding Airman of the Year, and Tech. Sgt. Rachel Pence, Topeka, Honor Guard Member of the Year.
