News from the 150th Anniversary of the Kansas National Guard Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       Aug. 1, 2005

No. 150-05-011

“CELEBRATION WEEKEND" HIGHLIGHT OF KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD 150th ANNIVERSARY

The public is cordially invited to help the Kansas National Guard celebrate its 150th Birthday during the Celebration Weekend of August 27 and 28. 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.

A number of activities are planned to take place at the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, Forbes Field, Topeka, beginning with an Inspection Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 9:00 a.m. This will be an inspection 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 inspection 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 public will also have the opportunity throughout the day to take part in a “Dialogue with the Troops.” Soldiers and airmen who have recently returned from deployments to Iraq and other overseas missions will be on hand to share their experiences through discussion and photographs.

The 35th Infantry Division Band will perform a free concert of patriotic music at the museum at 11 a.m. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Kansas National Guard, performances will feature period music and re-enactors from the Civil War through Operation Iraqi Freedom. The re-enactors will read excerpts from actual letters and diaries of Kansas Army and Air National Guard service members from the appropriate period.

Currently scheduled celebration events are not limited to Topeka. In Hutchinson, the Minuteman 150th 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, guests and other interested persons are encouraged to attend. While the events during the day are free, there is a registration fee for the Military Dinner and Ball. Tickets can be secured by filling out a registration form available at http://www.accesskansas.org/ksadjutantgeneral/150th Guard Anniversary/150th KNG Birthday Ball invite.pdf 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!

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