American Legion Post 173 prepares for Memorial Day services

The Hays American Legion Post 173 color guard during a downtown parade. Courtesy photo

By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post

As Memorial Day approaches, American Legion Post 173 is preparing to honor fallen service members while continuing its year-round mission of supporting veterans and the community.

Harvey Jansonius, a member of the American Legion Post, said the post will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday at Veterans Park, 15th and Haney Drive. The event will include a guest speaker, musicians, clergy members and a VFW honor guard salute.

Jansonius said the speaker will be a former commander of the Kansas American Legion Department.

Jansonius also highlighted the American Legion Riders chapter, which participates in parades, funerals and honor guard services and organizes events such as the upcoming 4-Lake Fun Run scheduled for 9 a.m. May 30 beginning at Good Times Motorcycle Sales and Service, 1007 Vine St. Registration is $20 from 8 to 9 a.m.

The group will travel to Cedar Bluff Lake, Webster Lake, Glen Elder Lake and Wilson Lake before ending at the American Legion Post, 5025 General Hays Road, for food and a raffle event. Proceeds will benefit the Fort Dodge Soldiers Home.

Jansonius said the Riders also participate in parades, funerals and honor guard services. Members of the chapter also help with flag placements and assist with Veterans Appreciation Night, scheduled for June 13.

American Legion Post 173 members at National Day of Prayer ceremony earlier this month at the VFW Ballroom. Courtesy photo

American Legion members with the Hays Cub Scouts for a flag folding class. Courtesy photo

Along with upcoming events, the American Legion also sponsors several youth and community programs.

Jansonius said the organization sponsors Patriot Awards for students at local junior high and high schools. He said the awards recognize students for character, leadership and community involvement rather than strictly academics.

"You don't have to have a 4.0 GPA to get this thing. It's got to be somebody that's involved in community service," he said.

The Legion also sponsors Cadet Law programs for students interested in law enforcement careers, such as the Kansas Highway Patrol. This is in addition to supporting the American Legion baseball program.

American Legion members with student-athletes, which the post sponsors. Courtesy photo

Veterans services remain a focus for the organization. Jansonius said members maintain flag retirement boxes around Hays where residents can properly dispose of worn American flags.

"We have a flag ceremony to get rid of it for you," he said. "To do that, you have to burn it, save the ashes and put them in a metal can and bury it."

The organization also assists veterans traveling through Hays with meals, fuel and, in some cases, overnight motel stays. Jansonius said participation in the Legion has increased in recent years, with meeting attendance growing from only a handful of members to around a dozen or more regularly attending.

Jansonius noted many American Legion events are also supported by another chapter, the Sons of the American Legion. The American Legion Post also has a public Facebook group, which you can join here.

Meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the organization’s building at 5025 General Hays Road, which is also available to rent.