Johnson County’s 2024 Veterans Day Observance, set for Monday, Nov. 11, will honor military veterans in our community.

This year’s event will take place at the Lenexa National Guard Armory, 18200 West 87th Street Pkwy., located just west of Renner Road.

The event begins at 11 a.m. and recognizes veterans from all Armed Forces for their military service. It’s open for the public to attend and will also be livestreamed on Johnson County’s Facebook page or online at jocogov.org/JoCoHonorsVets.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, will emcee the program, which will include:

• 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”

The event will also feature 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 will discuss 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 will share 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.

For more information about this year’s event, contact the Johnson County Manager’s Office at 913-715-0725. You can find more details on our event webpage.