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Kansas Senate Recognizes USD 252 Honor Flight student guardians; program raises about $45,000 per trip
Summary
Senator Argebreiten introduced student guardians and veterans from USD 252 Honor Flight, a wholly fundraised program that has completed 13 trips and is preparing a 14th; teachers and a superintendent who accompanied the group were acknowledged on the Senate floor.
Senator Argebreiten introduced students and veterans from USD 252 Honor Flight to the Kansas Senate, saying the students serve as "student guardians" who are matched with veterans and accompany them on Honor Flight trips.
The program, Argebreiten said, selects students through a coordinated application process led by teachers; she named Superintendent Muehlich and teacher coordinators Mrs. McGuire and Mrs. Garrett as being present. Argebreiten said the trips are entirely fundraised and that "each trip costs around $45,000." She told senators the USD 252 program has completed 13 trips and is "getting ready to go on their 14th trip." She described the program as one in which students develop ongoing relationships with veterans who often remain involved in school events after the trips.
Argebreiten offered a testimonial recounting a Vietnam veteran who returned from a trip noticeably changed because he felt appreciated and honored. "When that gentleman came back, he was a changed man," she said, relating comments attributed to the veteran's wife. Argebreiten noted that not all Honor Flight programs use students as guardians and called USD 252's approach "a very special program."
The senator asked the group — identified as representing two high schools — to stand, and the Senate stood at ease to receive them.
No formal action, vote, or legislative motion accompanied the presentation; it took place during introductions and recognition on the floor.
