Armenian delegation visits Kansas Soldiers’ Home and Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery

TOPEKA – Members of the Armenian Ministry of Defense and the Kansas National Guard were on site touring the Kansas Veterans’ Home and Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in Winfield to learn about the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office (KCVAO) mission to serve Kansas Veterans, learn about services provided, and facility operations. Also on the tour was a presentation from the KCVAO Mobile Services Unit, one of two buses outfitted to host Veterans and assist with VA Benefits and Claims.

“The KCVAO was privileged and proud to share information about how we continue to pay tribute to and honor our Veterans through the many services we provide here in Kansas,” commented Agency Director, Brigadier General (R) William Turner.

The Armenian Delegation spent four days in Kansas, included during the visit were presentations from Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam; Kansas State University Research and Extension, Kansas AgrAbility Project; and several area Veterans Service Organizations.

In 2003, Kansas and the Republic of Armenia were linked under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. The Kansas National Guard works closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health, Rescue Service, and other governmental offices and agencies. Types of cooperation include military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian events.

The Kansas-Armenia State Partnership was established to foster cooperation between the United States and Armenia, and to support the objectives of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Each year, Kansas and Armenia conduct numerous joint exercises in both locations that span across educational, law enforcement, medical, military, and emergency preparedness endeavors.