A Veteran Gives Back
I can't think of a better way to celebrate Veterans Day than honoring one of our own. Thank you to each and every serviceman and woman who has served to protect our freedoms.
Marvin Weis served his country honorably in the U.S. Army as 2nd/8th Mechanized Infantry in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.
“We got engaged and I got my draft notice. I went to basic training in Fort Bliss, TX. At Fort Polk, Louisiana, I did my AIT- Advanced Individual Training. When I was done in August I got a three week leave and Janet and I got married on August 27th and left for Vietnam in early September.”
It was many years later when someone paid for Marvin to fly to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. as part of the Kansas Honor Flight.
It was Flight 56 on April 20, 2018. It was such a moving and awesome experience,
“I saw names of men I knew on that wall,” commented Weis.
Weis felt he needed to give back. So he decided to raffle off a Henry American Eagle .22 rifle. Their slogan is Made in America or Not at All.
In a very short time, he collected $1800.00. This will cover costs for at least two others to have the same opportunity.
On Thursday, October 29th, Weis asked the Syracuse Journal to draw a name of the winner.
In a facebook live video on the Syracuse Journal page, Lee Parks’ name was drawn.
Parks received the rifle that afternoon and said, “It’s an honor to know those who served.”
The Syracuse Journal would like to take a moment to honor all the veterans who served this country proudly. And those who are currently serving today. We are grateful to you all!
For now, the Kansas Honor Flight has canceled all flights this year. They are planning on 17 flights next year. Normally they do about 10.
Jean Creson Caffrey is Marvin’s cousin who happens to serve on the Board of Directors and as a flight nurse on their trips.
Another interesting fact is that Kansas has sent more veterans to Washington, D.C. then any other state in the union.
Kansas veterans stay two nights, go to the Memorials and Arlington, to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and tour around.
They visited Fort McHenry National Monument where the Battle of Baltimore took place in 1814. It was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Due to COVID restrictions the American Legion has canceled the annual Veterans Day dinner.
NEWS
SCOULAR DONATION HIGHLIGHTS COMMUNITY NEED
In the last year with food prices and inflation rising, food pantries are being strained more and more. According to Lora Horton, the need outweighs the product. "Right now we are okay but we could always use more. With COVID money, we received monthly boxes of commodities.... [More]
ANNUAL TOURNAMENT BRINGS BUSINESS TO AREA AND CROWNS LOCAL CHAMPIONS
The annual two day Syracuse Youth Athletics Association basketball tournament was held last weekend, and it was great for the community businesses. Black Bison Pub owner Janet Thomeczek said, "It did so much for our business. We haven't had a weekend like that since Christmas!"... [More]
LOCAL KSU ALUMNI GROWS KS BILL SNYDER WHEAT
Retired Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder was honored at a luncheon on March 14 at the Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA) headquarters, Manhattan. While one would think the talk might have been about football, Coach Snyder was responding to the honor of the naming of a hard... [More]
FFA - MAKING THEIR MARK
The Future Farmers of America (FFA) Creed begins, "I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds." Our local FFA chapter is putting that into practice with building, giving, learning, and partnering with the community. The Local FFA... [More]
King Completes 2,000 EagleMed Flights
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RAGING FIRE BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER
The call came across the radios of a fire in northwest Hamilton County, near County Road L and 7. Fire trucks raced through town, sirens blaring. Farmers loaded up water trailers, tractors, disks, and a community banded together to help save Daryle Lewis home as well as keep... [More]
SHS ALUMNI RETURNS TO WESTERN KS
“Being back in a small town is the single most enjoyable thing so far. The city it not as much fun as what it’s made out to be, at least once you have kids!" Thomas Eddy DPM, son of Kent and Melanie Eddy, has returned to western Kansas, living in... [More]
Schwieterman Wins YFR Award
Scot Schwieterman, a local hay and forage producer was named the Young Farmer and Rancher of the Year at the Kansas Farm Bureau YF&R Leadership Conference in Manhattan February 2-4. The conference is designed to provide educational and networking opportunities for young... [More]
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OPINIONS
Gratitude and Change
I am writing this as the western Kansas winds blow and gust. The trees shake. I hear the howling which makes it sound colder than it is. I am about to leave for a couple days to a publishing conference in Colorado Springs. I am leaving my family midweek to figure it all out... [More]
Zen and the Art of Life
Happy Thursday! Looks like temperatures will be in the upper eighties and sunny this weekend. Exciting for many who want to get out and enjoy the weekend, less exciting when you are looking for rain in the forecast. Interesting isn't it how we view our circumstances? Something... [More]
Everything's Gonna Be Alright
It's April. April showers bring May flowers. Showers are forecasted later this week. Nice gentle rains are always welcome here. I had a phone call with a woman who ended the conversation saying, "I appreciate your candor." I had to laugh. I am not the best at many... [More]
Surrender
I was struggling this past week as I remembered my parents anniversary, however short was March 31. And I remembered how they couldn't communicate or get through the hard times. As I was growing up I often heard my father say, "Everyone you meet turns to %$^#." I will let... [More]
A Dynamic Shift
It's spring! Our lambs are in the barn, there is more daylight, and we are in the last nine weeks of the school year. I am my usual self - exhausted, excited, and overwhelmed with things that need done. At one of the community meetings I attend, someone mentioned... [More]
Opportunity disguised as discomfort
On Tuesday morning I packed up my daughter and we headed east for Kansas City. The trip with stops took about seven hours. I managed to find and get behind every semi on two lane roads. The interstate got busier as we moved east. I was nervous because I haven’t... [More]
Unstoppable
She was unstoppable not because she did not have failures but because she continued on despite them - Beau Taplin My daughter asked me about the word criticism. We discussed it. I mentioned how growing up I quit at the first sign of discomfort. I quit at the first piece... [More]
Never Not Be Afraid
Here we are at the end of February. What are you going with your bonus day? The weather in western Kansas has been wild. 78, 17, 65, and blowing, then snow. When I spent a couple of years traveling the country, I enjoyed the different climates. Eventually I tired... [More]
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SPORTS
STATE GOLF RESULTS
State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams. On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]
JH BASKETBALL WINS
Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]
LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!
The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]
JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin
Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]
Senior Night Volleyball
Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse. Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]
HS Track
Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]
SHS SPORTS WRAP UP
Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]
Spring Sports Start
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OBITUARIES
Ed Crum
Graveside services for Ed Crum will be held at the Holly Cemetery in Holly, Colorado at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024. Per Ed's request there will be no visitation. Edward Dean Crum was born on July 31, 1949 in Lamar, Colorado to Clifford and Lucille (Frazer) Crum.... [More]
Jimmy Ray Dowell
Jimmy Ray Dowell, 73, passed away peacefully on April 5th, 2024 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka Kansas with his family by his side. Jim was Born on September 2nd 1950 to Charlie and Gaylene (Schockey) Dowell of Syracuse Kansas. He married Loveta (Lindsey) on August 13, 1972... [More]
William “Bob” Crum
Graveside services for Holly, Colorado resident, Bob Crum will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Holly Cemetery with Military Committal Rites provided by Holly VFW Post #4281. Per Bob’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation.... [More]
Erma Westblade
Erma Baker Westblade, 95, of Salina, KS, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Pinnacle Park Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She was born January 26, 1929, in McClure, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Charles K. Baker and Lillie (Lepley) Baker. On August 14, 1965, she... [More]
Diane Bever
Funeral Services for Holly, Colorado resident, Diane Bever will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Valley Memorial Funeral Chapel in Holly, Colorado with Pastor Ian Blacker officiating. Interment will follow in the Holly Cemetery. Visitation for Diane... [More]
Richard S. Everett
Richard S. Everett, age 80, died Sunday, March 17, 2024, at his home in Johnson, Kansas. He was born on February 15, 1944, in Dalhart, Texas, the son of Gerald Thomas and Elizabeth (Rawlins) Everett. Richard grew up in Clayton, New Mexico, where he graduated from high school.... [More]
Shaun Frieary
Shaun Patrick Frieary passed away on March 15, 2024 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his mother Betty Pryschlak, his step-father Stephen, his brother George Frieary, and his daughter Hailey. A family memorial service will be held in New York state. Shaun was... [More]
Harold Richard Grinstead
Harold was born to Hazel and Harold Grinstead in Ordway, Colorado in the local hotel. He grew up in the southwest Kansas area, graduating from Coolidge High School before attending Lamar Junior College. He helped start the rodeo team and host the first college rodeo while at... [More]
More Obituaries
- Lucile Koenig
- Ron Seybert
- Robert Wagner
- Dallas Wayne McNitt
- John “Butch” McCracken
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- Greysen Ray Holmes
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