By LAAH TUCKER
Natoma American Legion Auxiliary
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 109 in Natoma launched a new year in planning their annual calendar of projects and events.
With an exhaustive list, the small unit will continue serving veterans, their families, children, youth, and community.
On January 29th, Auxiliary members joined in the 164th Kansas Day Celebration by bringing to life Kansas history for Pre-K through 5th grades in the Natoma USD 399 Elementary School. Using exciting material from the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, students were given unique and educational history of the state’s rich heritage through a Kansas State Symbol theme.
Auxiliary members gave insight into the Kansas State Symbols and the dates signed into law, including: The Great Seal of Kansas “Ad Astra per Aspera”-1861; Native Sunflower-1906; Western Meadowlark-1937; Cottonwood Tree-1937; “Home on the Range”-1947; American Buffalo-1955; Honeybee-1976. Each student tasted local honey butter and sunflower cookies.
Students joined the Auxiliary in singing the state song, “Home on the Range” and other inspiring songs.
Each symbol representing the unique aspects of Kansas were approved by former state legislature members and governor before being signed into law.
The Kansas Museum of History provided a traveling resource trunk filled with artifacts, reproductions, coloring books, and information for the presentations by Auxiliary members, Shawna Dunlap, Linda Crawford, Sharon MacConnell, and Mary Wise Workman.