HONORING LOCAL VETERANS

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.
The 7th annual PBS Kansas Veterans Coming Home Salute, which was held Nov. 6, 2021.
Thank You To Our Keynote Speaker
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

Sponsor the 2021 Veterans Coming Home Salute
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
Thank you to the 2021 Veterans Coming Home Salute sponsors!
Congratulations to the Previous PBS KANSAS Veterans Coming Home Salute Award Recipients!
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.
PBS KANSAS Veterans Coming Home Salute
VCH Greg Zuercher
Greg Zuercher, is the recipient of the KPTS Robert J. Dole Distinguished Service Award.
VCH James Eicher
James Eicher, the recipient of the KPTS Herb Duncan "Can-Do Attitude" Award.
VCH David Fulton
David C. Fulton, is the recipient of the KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Award.
VCH Terry Houck
Terry Houck, the recipient of KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Service Award.
VCH Jack Weiss
Jack Weiss, is the recipient of the KPTS Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Service Award.
VCH WSU Military and Veteran Services
WSU Military and Veteran Services - recipient of the KPTS Distinguished VCH Business Award
KPTS Veterans Salute - Gene McCreight
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Jon Remy
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Brian Coleman
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Chris Norgren
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Guy Bower
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Jay Erwin
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Wayne Borman
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Veteran Banners
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Herb Duncan
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.
KPTS Veterans Salute - Submarine Veterans Ceremony
KPTS salutes our veterans. Brought to you by FH Kaysing and the Lattner Family Foundation.