HUTCHINSON — The city of Hutchinson will host the 96th annual American Legion State Convention May 16 to 18 at Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.
Representatives of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary from across Kansas will gather to conduct individual conventions. Featured speakers will include Sen. Pat Roberts, National Vice-Commander Wayne Satrom, National President Nancy Brown-Park, SAL National Vice-Commander Bradley Schroenghamer and the nation’s leading candidate for National Commander Mike Helm of Norcatur.
Saturday’s joint session of the Legion, Sons, and Auxiliary will convene at 7:50 AM. The opening session will feature an address by Senator Roberts, the presentation of awards to youth program Champions, the Commander’s Americanism award, and the Service Officer of the Year Award. Legion Firefighter of the Year recipient Brian Fornwalt of Liberal will be honored for his service. Hutchinson native Bill Shaffer of KTWU-TV in Topeka and Chad Lawhorn of the Lawrence Journal World will be presented the Legion’s Fourth Estate Awards. Bechtel Construction Co. will be presented awards for hiring veterans and older workers.
For more information, visit www.ksamlegion.org.