Herington to get Kapaun honor
Staff writer
Although Father Emil Kapaun grew up in Marion County and is buried at Pilsen, served by the Marion post office, the Herington post office will have the honor next week of having its building renamed the Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building.
A dedication ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. Tuesday at 17 E. Main St. in Herington.
Postmaster Mardee Lincoln said Catholic residents were excited about it. The ceremony will be in the lobby. A few chairs will be available, but it probably will be standing room only for most people who attend, she said.
Lincoln said Rep. Tracy Mann introduced legislation to rename the post office. Kapaun is best known for his service in the U.S. military. He is connected to Herington because he was chaplain at the Delavan Air Force Base during World War II.
Delavan is an unincorporated community six miles east of Herington and is served by the Herington post office.
Kapaun’s medals of honor from the U.S. and Korea will be on display at the VFW across the street. Refreshments will be served there.
A Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 712 N. Broadway will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. by priests from the Salina and Wichita dioceses.