Chaplain Kapaun Memorial Committee
TOPEKA — The Chaplain Kapaun Memorial Committee is proud to announce the launch of a nationwide fundraising campaign to support the creation and installation of a statue honoring U.S. Army Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka.
During the Spring 2024 session, Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a bill passed unanimously by the State Legislature authorizing a privately funded memorial for the Army’s most decorated chaplain.
Chaplain Kapaun, a native of Pilsen, Kansas, is one of the most revered military chaplains in American history. A Catholic priest and Army Captain, he courageously ministered to fellow soldiers on the front lines of World War II and the Korean War. Captured during the Korean War, he selflessly tended to fellow POWs while enduring brutal conditions, dying in captivity in 1951. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2013 and is currently under consideration for sainthood by the Catholic Church.
“The Chaplain Kapaun Memorial will stand as a tribute not only to his life of sacrificial service and faith, but also to the enduring values of courage, compassion, and duty,” said Senator Chase Blasi, chair of the Chaplain Kapaun Memorial Committee. “We are excited to invite Kansans and all Americans to help keep Kapaun’s legacy burning bright at the heart of our great state.”
The statue will feature a striking bronze likeness of Chaplain Kapaun, portraying his service and spiritual leadership. The project is entirely privately funded, with a goal of $250,000 to cover the costs of the design, construction, promotion and upkeep of the statue. Donations are now being accepted at www.kapaunmemorial.com.
“Chaplain Kapaun’s selfless heroism was a beacon that transcends religious and political boundaries,” said Sen. Blasi. “This is an opportunity for every American, and especially Kansans, to ensure that his courage and selflessness are never lost to history.”
The memorial is being designed by Lundeen Sculpture of Loveland, Colorado, who designed the impressive bronze statue of Amelia Earhart which stands in the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and Chaplain Kapaun’s heroic deeds.
To learn more and contribute to the campaign, visit www.kapaunmemorial.com.