Office of the Lt. Governor: Supporting our own

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE LT. GOVERNOR

June 24, 2008

The following is a column by Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson:

Kansas is recognized as one of the most military friendly states in the country and we’ve worked to continue our long and proud military heritage.

More than three decades before Kansas became a state, Ft. Leavenworth was founded as a trading post out on the American prairie.

As the longest continuing operating fort west of the Mississippi River, it has hosted nearly every Army General in the past 150 years.

Today, Ft. Leavenworth houses the finest tactical military school in the world.

A little further west is Ft. Riley, built to protect trade and has been home to army officers such as Lt. Col. Custer and the 7th Calvary.

Ft. Riley is now a prominent military training center and home of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One”.

Kansas’ most recent addition, McConnell Air Force Base, is tasked with providing global air refueling and airlift. This is the only base in the country where Active, Guard and Reserve personnel support air refueling and airlift missions cooperatively and collaboratively.

The distinction of being one of America’s most military friendly states could not be accomplished without putting our military and their families first.

Assisting service men, women and their loved ones is absolutely essential and as such Kansas strives to offer many resources.

The Kansas Military Bill of Rights provides several services and benefits to our military members such as scholarships, tuition, taxes and spouse employment aid.

Our office of Veterans Benefits provides resources for insurance, health care, home loans and employment.

Our office of Military Family Support provides services and programs available to families in areas near military bases including basic needs assistance, medication, transportation, family counseling and emergency shelters.

All of these resources can be found on our website at: http://www.ltgovernor.ks.gov under the “Supporting our Own” tab.

Kansas’ military members play a vital role not only at home but all around the world by protecting our state, nation and being a valuable neighbor.

Kansas is proud to serve those men, women and their families as they serve our state and nation worldwide.