The 7th annual PBS Kansas Veterans Coming Home Salute, which was held Nov. 6, 2021 at the Wichita Marriott, honored outstanding veterans for their military and community service. It was a wonderful evening of inspiration and celebration.

Click here for photos from the 2021 event.

Marri Krupco 
Commander, Department of Kansas American Legion

Marri Krupco saw her family’s grocery store in Blue Mound, Kan., close. Then the local school. She vowed to not let the same happen to Mooney-Long American Legion Post 279.

About seven years ago, declining membership threatened the post’s charter. As adjutant, Krupco led a revitalization that nearly tripled membership in two months. 

In June, Post 279 will turn 100, which she sees as a perfect occasion to celebrate Blue Mound’s “small-town patriotism and how important veterans are to the community – and how important it is for those veterans to join and keep the post alive.”

Krupco’s determination to recruit new members and retain others continued as district commander, when she led the 2nd District to maintain the highest percent of quota every week of the membership year.

“I set out to do 20 years of (military) service, but it did not work out that way. This is one way I can continue to serve active-duty families. Helping not just my post but posts across the state is very rewarding to me.”

She’s proud of her hometown of Blue Mound, and just as proud of her post. 

“We are not set in our ways. We’re making a new path. We’re willing to accept new ideas and do something new for our community.”

Branch of service Navy (1998-2002)

Rank Electrician’s mate second class

Military job Nuclear propulsion plant operator/electrical

American Legion post Mooney-Long Post 279, Blue Mound, Kan.

Years in the Legion 20

Sponsorship Information Contact
Terri Brooks, PBS KANSAS Director of Development, at tbrooks@kpts.org or call 316-838-3090 ext. 221.

Event Information Contact

Lynn Woolf, PBS KANSAS Special Events & Volunteer Manager, lwoolf@kpts.org or 316-838-3090 ext. 218

2020

KPTS Robert J. Dole Distinguished Service Award
Greg Zuercher - Retired Sergeant, Army

KPTS “Can-Do” Attitude Award
James S. Eicher - Retired Colonel, Army

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Service Award

• Terry D. Houck
• Rev. David C. Fulton
• Jack L. Weiss
   

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Business Award - Larry Burks, Wichita State University Military & Veteran Services

2019

KPTS Robert J. Dole Distinguished Service Award recipient - John Remy

KPTS “Can Do Attitude” Award recipient - Herb Duncan

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Service Award recipients:

• Guy F. Bower
• Gene McCreight
• Brian Coleman

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Business Award recipient - Team RWB

2018

KPTS Robert J. Dole Award Distinguished Service Award recipient - David M. Kennedy

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Service Award recipients:

• Terry Kasperek
• Raymond V. Miller

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Business Award recipients - Vet-to-Vet Support Command and Veteran Providers Coalition of Sedgwick County

2017

KPTS Robert J. Dole Award Distinguished Service Award recipient - James D. Denison

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Service Award recipients:

• Barbara Bulger
• Gary Rogers
• Stephan F. Gonzales

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Business Award recipient - Alpha One Drop Zone

2016

KPTS Robert J. Dole Award Distinguished Service Award - Bob Rogers

KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Business Award recipient - Kansas Honor Flight

2015

Robert J. Dole recognized at the first Veterans Coming Home Salute.