Brigadier General Patrick Frank thanked veterans and their families for their service during his remarks at the Veteran’s Ceremony on July 4th in Junction City.

Frank was one of the keynote speakers during the ceremony in Heritage Park in front of the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Franks issued a thank you to Junction City residents for inviting the 1st Infantry Division to their hometown. He reported that the latest contingent of 1st Armored  Brigade Combat Team soldiers returned to Fort Riley from South Korea Friday night, Combat Aviation Brigade troops have returned from Afghanistan, and most of the Division’s troops in Iraq, with the exception of one battalion, will be home in the near future. One brigade, the Second Brigade Combat Team, will deploy to Europe in the fall.

During the ceremony a wreath recognizing the 100 years of the 1st Infantry Division was placed in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  He encouraged Vietnam veterans to attend a welcome home ceremony for them at 3 p.m. August 23rd at Fort Riley.

The ceremony also included comments by 1st District Congressman Roger Marshall, who noted the military are being asked to do more with less, and spoke in favor of Congress fully funding the military. Marshall noted deterrence is a path to peace.