This Year’s Speaker: Retired U.S. Army Colonel Christopher D. Croft
By Brenna Eller
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Veterans from all over Kansas gathered together for the annual Veterans Breakfast in the Encampment Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Father Jerome from Holy Cross Church and St. Teresa gave the opening prayer and Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Shulz welcomed everyone and thanked all veterans for their service. In honor of the people who suffered through 9/11 and protected others in that time, Shulz asked for a moment of silence at 9:11.
During breakfast, singers performed several songs for the veterans. Among the duo is Melanie Ryan of Great Bend, who does some mural artwork for the town. The other singer is from Wichita.
Deputy Director of Kansas Office of Veterans Services Eric Rohleder introduced the guest speaker, by first thanking everyone for coming today in support of veterans, whether they are a veteran themselves, care for a veteran, or know someone who is a veteran. Rohleder also thanked the Fair Board for allowing him to be a part of the event.
The Kansas Office of Veterans Services was previously the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office. The name was changed July 1st.
“We do the same grade work, we just got rid of commission because now we are elevated to an almost cabinet-level agency,” Rohleder said.
KOVS has a booth inside the Meadowlark Building and there are mobile offices outside at the intersection of Grandstand and Ft. Leavenworth if you would like more information about the services they provide to veterans.
Rohleder introduced the guest speaker, retired Colonel Christopher D. Croft, who served 30 years (active duty) in the United States Army.
“Our speaker is a true patriot; a true American,” Rohleder said. “Now he serves as the leader, as the Majority Leader of the House and he serves the veterans and the citizens of District 8 in Overland Park.”
Rohleder added that he has no doubt that the future will be bright with Croft’s continued support for veterans and their families, and for the citizens of Kansas.
Kansas State Representative/House Majority Leader Chris Croft spent 30 years in the U.S. Army (Active Duty Service).
In college, Croft earned his Master’s degree in Operational Art of War. Croft retired as Colonel U.S. Army in 2018 and became known for another role, as he spent four years as Executive Director of the Center for Army Leadership.
“The military absolutely prepares us for what we do,” Croft said.
Croft told stories from his service in Iraq and how his leadership decisions helped him later in his legislative work. He was deployed to Iraq twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was also in the 101 Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 101st Sustainment Brigade at Balad, Iraq.
Other stories involved Sept. 11, different years all having different impacts. His daughter was born on Sept. 11. Last year, Croft was supposed to be the guest speaker at the breakfast, but he had eye surgery. He is still unable to see fully.
On Sept. 11, 1992, a Hurricane hit the island of Kauai. Croft would fly over and bring supplies. A City Commissioner from Kauai, now the Senate President, who he was with on the battlefield trying to solve the problems for the people there, ended up serving in the legislature alongside him later in life.
“It’s kind of amazing the kind of world we live in, the people you’ve met, and the stories we have,” Croft said. “It’s so important that we remember these stories and pass them on and talk about them.”
Croft suggested to everyone to share their stories and to recruit military because America is under attack. He added that fentanyl has killed 300,000 people in the past three years. When America was attacked on 9/11 and in Pearl Harbor, we fought back.
“The flame is lit; the torch is lit for you to carry,” Croft said. “Honor that, and make sure you do and uphold what we’ve asked you to do.”
Croft thanked all veterans at the breakfast and made sure to specifically thank Vietnam veterans.
“What you all went through made things a whole lot better for us,” he said. “And that’s because you stayed in the fight. You kept fighting afterwards and wouldn’t let them do that to us like they did that to you guys. I know we can never repay you what you guys went through but thank you.”
There was a standing applause for a 100-year-old WWII Veteran Robert Enders (originally from Lyons) currently living in Hutchinson. His daughter was with him at the breakfast.
He shared that he was a Navy Medic.
“I was in Seattle for a while. I was in Guam. Then I went to Vietnam,” Enders said. “I went all over.”
Croft made the point that we can’t let stories be lost and that it’s our job to share them.
Croft was presented with a Patriotic Quilt from the Kansas State Fair Board. He is pictured with Deputy Director of Kansas Office of Veterans Services and Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Shulz.
