150th Anniversary of the Kansas National Guard
Celebration Weekend Events

A Military Ball will be the highlight of a Celebration Weekend for the 150th anniversary of the Kansas National Guard.

Plans are still being finalized for the weekend’s events, but there will be plenty to do, plenty to see and plenty of memories to be created.

An Inspection Ceremony is planned for Saturday, Aug. 27, at 9:00 a.m.at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, Forbes Field, Topeka. There will be a review of troops from the Kansas Army National Guard (KSARNG) and Kansas Air National Guard (KSANG), represented by personnel from Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas, the 35th Infantry Division, 35th Division Artillery, 130th Field Artillery Brigade, 69th Troop Command, 235th Regiment, 184th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) and the 190th ARW.

Music for the ceremony will be provided by the 35th Infantry Division Band. A salute battery from the 130th Field Artillery Brigade will execute a cannon salute and flyovers will be conducted by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation, KSARNG, and a KC-135 air refueling tanker from the 190th ARW.

In conjunction with the Inspection Ceremony, there will be static displays of military equipment on the grounds of the Kansas National Guard Museum. Also on the museum grounds will be a number of re-enactors representing Kansas National Guardsmen from the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish American War and World War II. The re-enactors will present a number of living history programs and demonstrations throughout the day.

The 35th Infantry Division Band will also perform a free concert of patriotic music on Saturday, August 27 at 11 a.m. at the museum.

Currently scheduled celebration events are not limited to Topeka. In Hutchinson, the Minuteman 150-Prairie Thunder 2005 Motorcycle Ride is set to begin at approximately 11 a.m. at the Hutchinson Armory. The 150 mile ride will commemorate the Kansas National Guard’s 150 years of service.

The day’s events will culminate in the Anniversary Ball at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka. The formal banquet and dance will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. The dance will begin at approximately 9 p.m., with music by the Bop Daddies, and run until 11:30 p.m.

All current and former Kansas National Guard personnel and guests are invited to attend. Registration for the Military Dinner and Ball can be made by filling out this form and sending it with the appropriate payment to Headquarters, 35th Infantry Division, C/O 2nd Lt. Andrew Tapley, 2 Sherman Ave., Bldg. 1951, Rm 45, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 66027. The registration deadline is Aug. 12.

The Celebration Weekend events continue on Sunday, Aug. 28 with a 9:00 a.m. Memorial Service at the Kansas National Guard Museum. The service will pay tribute to all Kansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who have given their lives in the service of their state and nation.

On Tuesday, Aug. 30, a special ceremony will mark the official 150th birthday of the Kansas National Guard, which was formed Aug. 30, 1855, as the Kansas Territorial Militia. Plans for the ceremony include remarks by Maj. Gen. (KS) Tod Bunting, the adjutant general, a cake-cutting ceremony and the presentation of commemorative canisters.

What a way to celebrate!