Salina Honors Veterans with Ceremony, Memorial Dedication and Tribute to Service

SALINA, Kan. — Veterans, military families, community organizations and residents gathered Tuesday, November 11, at the Sunset Park War Memorial in Salina for a Veterans Day ceremony honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Hosted by American Legion Post 62, the ceremony included the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, an invocation and a moment of silence remembering those who gave their lives in service to their country. Vernon Christie, commander of American Legion Post 62, welcomed those in attendance.

The keynote address was delivered by Col. Keri A. Kavouras, 184th Medical Group Commander, Kansas Air National Guard at McConnell Air Force Base. Kavouras spoke about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families, the bonds formed through military service, and the responsibility of each generation to preserve the freedoms secured by those who served. She encouraged those present to listen to veterans' stories and carry their gratitude beyond Veterans Day.

A special recognition was presented to Dan Pestinger for his years of service to the local veteran community. Pestinger has served as sergeant-at-arms for Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, participated in military funeral honors, maintained the American Legion grounds and flags, and assisted with the retirement of flags. He was presented with a lap quilt, certificate and challenge coin in appreciation of his dedication.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the dedication of a new United States Submarine Veterans monument at the memorial. Vaughn Mortimer, representing the Dorado Base of the United States Submarine Veterans, spoke about the monument's significance and the history behind it.

The monument honors submariners who lost their lives while serving, including the crews of the 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II. Mortimer also recognized the connection to Salina through O.J. Cooper, a local World War II submarine veteran, and his wife, Norma Jean Cooper, Salina's first female city commissioner. Their generosity established an endowment through the Greater Salina Community Foundation that helps support the submarine veterans' work preserving the memory of those lost in service.

The dedication served as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifice made by submariners during World War II, when more than one in five members of the submarine force did not return home. In submarine tradition, those lost at sea are remembered as being on "eternal patrol."

The program also included a special appearance by first-grade students from Cornerstone Classical School. Introduced by headmaster Chris Stevens, the students recited a portion of the Declaration of Independence, demonstrating their study of American history and the importance of passing the nation's founding principles and history to future generations.

The Salina Saline County War Memorial Committee also announced plans to expand the memorial grounds east and west of the existing monument. The project is being pursued through a public-private partnership with the City of Salina. The committee is seeking to raise $163,000 toward its share of construction costs and is offering inscribed bricks and black granite tiles for those wishing to honor veterans. More information is available at sunsetwarmemorial.com.

Representatives and members of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW Auxiliary, Marine Corps League, United States Submarine Veterans and other community organizations participated in the gathering.

The ceremony concluded with a benediction, retirement of the colors and an invitation for attendees to share a light lunch at the veterans' building.

As the gathering came to a close, the message was clear: honoring veterans should extend beyond one day each year. Their service, sacrifice and commitment to the freedoms Americans enjoy deserve to be remembered and appreciated throughout the year.