Johnson County’s 2023 Veterans Day Observance is scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at the Kansas Army National Guard Armory, 18200 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, located just west of Renner Road.

Celebrating its 36th year, the county’s public event annually honors all veterans from all Armed Forces for their military service.

The observance will be livestreamed on Johnson County’s Facebook page at facebook.com/jocogov and online at jocogov.org/JoCoHonorsVets.

Featured speaker will be Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt. A veteran of the Iraq War, he has served as commander of the Kansas Army National Guard and assistant adjutant general (Army) since 2016 in a military career spanning 33 years.

A 1990 graduate from the Officer Candidate School at the Kansas Military Academy, Brigadier General Mohatt has held command positions in the 35th Infantry Division, 69th Troop Command, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion and 137th Infantry Regiment, among others.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, will emcee the event that features:

• Patriotic music by the Olathe Northwest High School band and special songs by the Mill Creek Elementary School choir in Lenexa.
• Presentation of colors and placement of memorial wreaths by local veteran organizations.
• Playing of “Taps” and traditional rifle salute.

Johnson County’s Veterans Day observance began in 1987 with public celebrations on the south steps of the old Johnson County Courthouse in downtown Olathe. Since 2007, the county celebration has occurred at locations throughout Johnson County, including the cities of Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, Merriam, Gardner and the New Century AirCenter.

More information about the 2023 Veterans Day observance is available by contacting the Johnson County Manager’s Office at 913-715-0725. Final details will be posted on the county’s website at jocogov.org by Nov. 1.