The PBS Kansas Veterans Coming Home Distinguished Veteran Service Awards recognizes hometown heroes who make a difference in the community. Is there a Veteran in your life that has continued to demonstrate the core values of honor, courage, and commitment through exemplary volunteer service? Now is your chance to highlight their compassionate achievements! 

Veterans with service in any military branch are eligible for this award. Nominees are not required to have engaged in wartime conflict, but they must be a resident of Kansas.  The selection committee is made up of community members, including Veterans, Veteran service providers, and PBS Kansas Staff. 

Additionally, PBS Kansas Channel 8 recognizes one local business/organization each year that makes a difference in the lives of Kansas Veterans. Organizations must demonstrate a broad pattern of Veteran service, which may include hiring Veterans, running Veteran programs, or supporting Veteran causes. 

NOMINATE A VETERAN 
EXTENDED DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 27

The event will take place at B-29 Doc Hangar, Education & Visitors Center, 1788 S Airport Rd, Wichita.

B-29 Doc serves as the backdrop for the public to enjoy bits of history, science, technology, engineering and mathematics that go hand-in-hand with aviation.

To become a sponsor of the 2024 Veterans Coming Home Salute and Distinguished Veteran Service Awards, contact info@kpts.org or (316)838-3090.

Click here to see photos from the 2023 salute.

Senator Robert J. Dole Distinguished Veteran Service Award

Lt. Col. Michael George (USAF - RET)

Distinguished Veterans Service Business Award

DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers

Distinguished Veteran Service Award

MSG Dana McCall (USA - RET)

Herb Duncan “Can Do Attitude” Distinguished Veteran Award

CPL John Mock (USA)

“History Maker” Distinguished Veteran Service Award

SFC Julius C. Williams (USA - RET)

Click here to see photos from the 2022 salute.

Congratulations Greg Cole

Robert J. Dole Award Recipient 2022

Congratulations Marri Krupco

Herb Duncan "Can Do Attitude" Award Recipient 2022

Congratulations to Gerhard Albrecht

Distinguished Veteran Award Recipient 2022

Congratulations 
Jennabelle Harding-Crow 

Distinguished Veteran History Maker 
Award Recipient 2022

Congratulations Midwest Battle Buddies

Business Award Recipient 2022

PBS Kansas Senator Robert J. Dole Distinguished Service Award
Colonel Robert Hester, US Army

PBS Kansas Spirit Aero Systems Herb Duncan “Can Do Attitude” Award 
Ronald L. Colbert, US Airforce Veteran 

PBS Kansas AgVantis Veterans Coming Home Distinguished Service Award
John Noonan, US Navy Veteran

PBS KansasVeterans Coming Home Distinguished Service Award
Pastor Herman Hicks, US Air Force Veteran

PBS KansasFoulston Siefkin LLP Veterans Coming Home Business Award
Veterans Upward Bound, Wichita State University, Accepted by Stacia Lyday

Click here for photos from the 2021 event.

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.