14 November 2016
Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau
Bureau Business
Fly Your Flag, Show Your Spirit
It’s that time again when all the planning comes together, and the All Veterans
Tribute celebration begins. Exhibits at the Emporia Public Library, the Emporia
Arts Center, and the American Legion have begun. This year, the Veterans Show
will return to ESU’s Albert Taylor Hall. The Veteran Artist Exhibit, chaired by the
Emporia Arts Council, is a veteran-only exhibit and will have a reception introducing
this year’s artists. Among the other events; veteran’s breakfasts, Charlie Daniels in
Susan Rathke
CVB Director
concert, Freedom Fest, Quilts of Valor Presentation and more, there is something for
people of all ages to enjoy.
While this time of year stirs up our patriotic spirit, I think it helps to remind
everyone we are still at war, and our friends and relatives are away on foreign soil.
While we are known as the Official Founding City of Veterans Day, a designation
that will forever belong to Emporia, Kansas, we strive to show our patriotic spirit
everyday by making sure U.S. flags fly in our downtown area. Ideally, we can never fly
too many U.S. flags in Emporia. Fly a flag from your front porch, on a flag pole in the
yard, or stop in to get a free flag to place on the grave of a veteran.
I’d like to thank Emporia Main Street for their Veteran Banners project. Take some
time to stroll downtown and read the names of the veterans on the banners. Visitors
have come to Emporia to see the banners honoring a friend or relative and to take
photos of the banners.
The Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau will host a new event this year, a free
lunch for veterans on Wednesday, November 9, 11 am to 1 pm in the Trusler Business
Center.
One event that promotes the significance of Veterans Day in the schools is the
Essay and Poster Contest, chaired by Nancy Horst. Area school children grades
5 thru 12 are invited to submit an essay and/or poster for judging. Last year,
several hundred essays and just over 100 posters were submitted for judging.
Winners are recognized at an awards ceremony where they read their essays and
explain their posters. They also receive recognition certificates and cash for their
accomplishments, thanks to generous donations from local military organizations
and service clubs. If your organization or business donated to the All Veterans
Tribute this year or in the past, we thank you sincerely. Donations help make it
possible to fly U.S. flags downtown, advertise and promote the Tribute events, and
award students for their good work.
Please take some time this year to attend an event on the schedule. Please take
a moment to thank a veteran. And please, take a minute to raise your U.S. flag and
consider leaving it up all year long.