Veterans Committee Chairs
Mike Welch

Veterans Committee Members
Jack Alexander
Chuck Bredahl
Roy Browning, Jr.
Jim Darnall
Don Debarge
John Desch
Jack Elliott
Bill Gahnstrom
Roy Hale
Harvey Harris
Willie Jackson
Tom Kennedy
Gail Laughlin
Ray Remp, Sr.
Rob Robinson
Gary Slimmer
Stanley Smith
Dale Vaughn
Calvin Warrem
George Webb
Dan Welch
Mike Welch
Gerald Worthington

Consultants
Bette Allen
Darrell Bencken
Tim Degginger
Beth Fager
Emery Fager
Brian Pitman
Eliot Potter
Max Prosser
Chuck Yunker

Calendar of Events

November 11, 2007 - "When The Bugle Calls..."
The American Legion Riders and Patriot Guard Riders will be presenting a tribute to our veterans with "When The Bugle Calls...". This event will be held at the All Veterans Memorial at the Great Overland Station. The keynote speaker will be Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting. There will be several dignitaries attending also. The ceremony will begin sharp at 2:00 p.m.

The Station will open at 12:00 noon for you to tour the museum and visit our Coca Cola Christmas. You will also have an opportunity to start your Christmas shopping early by visiting our holiday vendor booths.

Completed Events

September 30, 2006 - 11:00 a.m. - Formal Dedication of the All Veterans Memorial and BNSF Memorial Plaza
Dedication of the All Veterans Memorial and BNSF Railroad Plaza was conducted on September 30, 2006, with a great crowd attending on a beautiful fall type day.  Ron Thornburg, Kansas Secretary of State acted as the Master of Ceremonies.  Cannon salutes were fired by McClain's Independent Artillery Battery (Civil Ware Re-enactors) early in the program and at the conclusion of the ceremony.  Members of the 1st Battalion 161st Field Artillery Battalion of the Kansas Army National Guard fired a 13-gun salute immediately after the Veterans Memorial Flame was recognized.  The Santa Fe Band and Katy Steinbacher honored the audience with musical arrangements and a great rendition of the National Anthem.  Recognized during the ceremony were guests, dignitaries, members of the Veterans Committee, members of Railroad Heritage, Inc., Re-enactors of the Civil War and re-enactors of World War II, American Legion Post 410 as sponsor of the Ceremonial Flagpole, and the sponsors of the state flags.  Tim Degginger of Degginger Foundry made comments on the meaning of the sculpture, and Tom Bock, Past National Commander of the American Legion was the speaker.  An open house at the Great Overland Station followed the ceremony.  Senator Brownback and Congressman Jim Ryun honored the ceremony with their presence.

Click a picture below to see a larger version in a new window.

June 17, 2006 - "Raising the Flags Ceremony"
Featured flagpole sponsors, veterans, Great Overland Station Staff, and Boy/Girl Scouts in a program which witnessed the raising the flags (State Flag and U.S. Flag) for each of the 50 flagpoles.  The 312th U.S. Army Band provided the music and the primary address was made by Tom Bock, National Commander of the American Legion.  See the roster of sponsors of flagpoles under "Sponsorship" pages of this website.

Click a picture below to see a larger version in a new window.

November 11, 2006 - 2:00 p.m. - Veterans Day Program
A Veterans Day Program will be conducted at the All Veterans Memorial location adjacent to the Great Overland Station on November 11, 2006, beginning at 2:00 p.m.  The program will be conducted by the Junior ROTC Programs from the Topeka West High School (Army), Topeka High School (Marines), Highland Park High School (Air Force), and Shawnee Heights High School (Navy).  It is planned for an estimated 100 JROTC participants to be involved in this Veterans Day Program.  It is a first-ever in Topeka, and THE PUBLIC IS INVITED.  Point of Contact: Major Charles Wright, Professor of Military Science at Topeka West High School.

More Completed Events >>

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