JoCo Honors Vets
Johnson County’s 2024 Veterans Day Observance took place Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at the Kansas National Guard Armory. The event honored all veterans from all Armed Forces for their military service. View the event livestream.
2024 Event Program
Mike Kelly, chair of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, emceed the program. The program included:
- Music from the American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City
- A drill from the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps of Shawnee Mission North High School
- Presentation of colors and memorial wreaths
- Playing of “Taps”
About the Featured Speakers
The 2024 event featured addresses from Eric Rohleder, Deputy Director, Kansas Office of Veterans Services, and Joel Evans, University of Kansas, Ph.D. candidate in anthropology and U.S. Army veteran.
Rohleder discussed the 80th anniversary of the G.I. Bill, including how the legislation was created to help returning World War II veterans obtain an education and how it continues to benefit active-duty military and current veterans.
Evans shared his personal story of leaving college after his first year to join the U.S. Army, serving his country and then returning to complete his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. His education benefits from the military even helped to pay for a year of his doctoral research in anthropology.