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Ask A Kansan is a podcast where we're amplifying, connecting and uncovering stories across Kansas.
Every week, Gus and Sydney sit down with the people who actually make this state run — museum directors and ranchers, founders and historians, zookeepers and woodcarvers. From Kansas City to Kinsley, WaKeeney to Wichita, we go where the story is.
You'll leave each episode knowing something you didn't about the state we call home. It's not a history lecture and it's not a business show. It's a real conversation with a Kansan worth knowing.
New episodes weekly. askakansan.com
Ep82
===
Kansas Aviation Buzz
---
Gus Applequist: [00:00:00] So it's been like a, a good time for aviation in Kansas. Tanner went out and got some really great photos of an air show. Was that in Wichita, Tanner? McConnell-
Sydney Collins: McConnell ...
Gus Applequist: Air Force Base. And not only that, because of, uh, the campaign season, we've had, uh, Air Force One
or the, as Tanner would tell us, at times it's been Air Force One, at times
it's been a, a plane that
looks like Air Force One- but doesn't have a president on it. Um, but there's some great photos of, of
that plane, uh, around Kansas as well. So if, if you're interested in
such things, you should check out our newsletter. Is that where it's gonna be?
Okay. Check out the newsletter if you wanna see some awesome shots of planes. These are like planes that are upside down, planes that are, um- Yep. It's cool.
Sydney Collins: It was the air show. Um, you can go to askkansan.com and find, um, the story there as well in the Curious Kansas newsletter. [00:01:00]
Gus Applequist: And just because I have to tell a quick story, 'cause that's who I am. Go for it. My dad and I were out by
Kanopolis about, oh, probably 20 years ago, and we were driving down to Lyons
and, uh, we were like all by ourselves out in the middle of nowhere, and we looked up and
there was a B-2 bomber just hanging out right above us.
That, that signature
like bat wing kinda shape, and I was so freaked out by that. I just thought it was so eerie. Like, we couldn't hear it. I don't know- may- why that was, but it was just hanging out up there. It was scary. So planes, Kansas.
Sydney Collins: Planes, Kansas.
Gus Applequist: That's my cold
open
Sydney Collins: It's a thing.
Gus Applequist: Spicy Dorito?
Spi- spicy Dorito? Spicy Dorito? Oh, is that what people
call it?
Sydney Collins: Oh. It's a spicy Dorito.
Gus Applequist: That's
very
spicy.
Sydney Collins: Why can't it just be... -oh, 'cause it's a bomber, so spicy-
clicking.
[00:02:00]
Welcome and Veterans Day Focus
---
Gus Applequist: Welcome to Ask a Kansan ...
a podcast where we're amplifying, connecting, and uncovering stories across Kansas.
And, uh, today, we get to turn our lens, if you will, our microphone, towards, uh, uh, a topic we, we- I don't think we've actually covered very much on the podcast.
Sydney Collins: No, the closest that we've gotten is, um, Dr.
Andrew Orr with, um, K-State University when he came and talked, um, about just-
Gus Applequist: The history of
military and- ... the
Sydney Collins: military history.
and so we got to touch that, um, a little bit in that episode, but we haven't had any type of, um, vet on or even family member of, of vets. So today's episode, um, since it is veter- uh, Veterans Day this [00:03:00] week, um,
we wanted to kinda pay homage a little bit.
And we got really lucky
that, um, James actually reached out to us and- was like, "Hey, I would love to come on and just sh- share more information." We're like, "Yes." So.
Gus Applequist: and and so he comes to us from American Legion Auxiliary. Which he'll explain
more what that is. Um,
but
I
think it was a, an opportunity for us to learn a lot about that organization and the good work they do.
So without any further ado, here's our conversation
with James.
Come on in.
How's
it
going?
James Seipel: Good How about you.
two? Good. doing? well.
Sydney Collins: Whoops, sorry. There you go.
James Seipel: Good to go.
Sydney Collins: Looking very dapper.
James Seipel: Thank you.
Sydney Collins: I like the hat.
well, thanks for joining us today.
James Seipel: Thanks for having me.
Sydney Collins: Um, can you introduce yourself for our audience?
Meet James Seipel
---
James Seipel: My name is James Seipel.
I am the District
1 Community Service Chairperson for the American Legion Auxiliary.
I've been a native Kansan since 19- '
we'll say '72.
[00:04:00] Um, I currently
reside in Topeka. So I'm also the chaplain
of the Sons of Union Veterans
of Civil War
Camp 16, Topeka as well.
Sydney Collins: Wow.
James Seipel: So.
Sydney Collins: can you ... So I am just learning all this.
James Seipel: Sure.
Sydney Collins: 'cause I don't think it's very common knowledge.
Legion vs VFW vs Auxiliary
---
Sydney Collins: Can you define the difference between American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion, VFW, like all of the different organizations? Sure. You don't have to talk about You don't have to talk about- all of them. But can you define kind of what- what sets you apart? Sure. The American Legion is an organization that's specifically
James Seipel: for veterans that have honorably served since 1918. Obviously, there's not any veterans that were in the first war that are still around.
Um, the VFW is slightly different
in that, um, It's consists
of veterans
that served in a foreign war where they were
actually boots on the ground in Vietnam,
Afghanistan- Iraq.
The auxiliary is slightly
different and there's been some recent changes in the American Legion Auxiliary, including, like, three weeks
ago, where they changed their eligibility
[00:05:00] requirements.
Sydney Collins: Oh, wow.
James Seipel: Originally, it was originally formed in 19, 1919, and, um,
in 2019, they changed the eligibility where they allowed men who were spouses of female veterans that they could join, and that's how I joined in, uh, 2020. Um, and then about a month ago, they changed the eligibility requirements again, where they opened it up that if you were a son,
grandson or grandfather, or a father of a veteran, then You could join the auxiliary.
So it's more inclusive for family
members. So the Legion, VFW are specifically targeted towards veterans. Okay.
And the auxiliary is for
family members.
Sydney Collins: Brilliant. Okay. so
James Military Family Roots
---
Sydney Collins: what is your connection
with
veterans
or military service- or anything like that? Can you give us that?
James Seipel: My dad, uh, served in the Air Force during Vietnam, and I was actually born at Forbes Field Air Force Base.
Um, I was actually there last night. There was a trunk-or-treat event.
Sydney Collins: Oh, cool.
James Seipel: And, uh, it was to help, uh, families in the south side of Topeka. And where the, uh, event occurred was literally right across the [00:06:00] street from the hospital.
So it was a little bit... I guess it was
coming home in a way.
But, um,
So my dad was
in the Air Force.
Um, it was decommissioned 1973.
Sydney Collins: Okay.
James Seipel: So we lived in Silver Lake at the time, and so the way the roads were then is my dad would have to drive from Highway 24 into Topeka and take 75 South Drive all the way through Topeka to get to Forbes,
whereas now you would just take 470. Okay. So, um, so I was
born into a m- milit- military family.
Um, I have two uncles that were in the Navy. My grandfather was in World War II, uh, in the Army. Um, got a cousin of mine that was in Afghanistan, so,
um, I come from a military family. So, um, I got into the auxiliary a- about six years ago. Um, I was in Pennsylvania at the time,
and it was just the...
I felt it was my time to, to, get back in and help veterans. So...
Why He Joined the Auxiliary
---
Sydney Collins: What, um, do you mind me asking a little, a little deeper? Sure. What made you [00:07:00] want to do that? Was there something that sparked something in your life, or is it just- kind of a realization that you had?
James Seipel: Military life has always just kind of been, It's always just kind of been an aspect of my life Um, in high school I was heavily involved
in,
uh, Air Force Junior ROTC program-
at Cowley high school. And, um, through that, um,
we traveled a lot, around a lot. We were at the McConnell Air
Force Base. Whiteman Air Force
Base.
They put us at a KC-30, KC-135 once and flew us all the way to South Dakota.
Uh, refueled F-16s
and turned right around and flew back.
So,
um, so the military or aspects of military has always just kind of been interwoven
in my life. And, um,
at one
point in time I was married and my, uh, former wife was a U.S. Army veteran.
Sydney Collins: Oh, wow.
James Seipel: So, um, I got
to see what
that's like to enroll in VA healthcare and get involved in that.
And, uh, since I was literally m- marrying back into a military family, it, uh,
kinda changed my perspective. You know, I think this is [00:08:00] a route I'm, I need to go down- and, uh, be supportive, so.
Sydney Collins: Great.
Gus Audio: What does your district... You said
District 1.
District One and Changing Veteran Groups
---
Gus Audio: What does that
encompass?
James Seipel: I'd actually look it up again 'cause I'm always, I always leave one county out
It is, uh, Atchison, Donovan, Jackson, Jefferson, Shawnee, and Leavenworth Counties. That's District One. One.
Sydney Collins: Okay. Northeast.
James Seipel: Northeast. Northeast Kansas, that's correct. Okay. Great
Gus Audio: So
do you all see your, your role
as
like,
you're, you are supporting
veterans by supporting their families.
Is that a good way to
say it?
James Seipel: That,
that brings
up a really interesting topic- because the nature of both
these organizations, VFW and American Legion, are changing because there are more women that are becoming veterans now.
And, um, with the conclusion
of the Iraq and Afghanistan war, there are now veterans that are
trying to acclimate back into civilian life. And bluntly speaking, the population of the American Legion, VFW, they're aging. It's generally... Most people, when you s- we say those organizations, you automatically think [00:09:00] Vietnam veteran guys hanging out at a bar drinking.
That's what
you automatically think. And so there's a big push within these organizations
to reach out to younger, the younger generation, and this is not uncommon. This
is the
same issue that occurred during Vietnam. when
troops came back from Vietnam it was the World War Two, Korea, and World War Two,
veterans that were running that.
So it's just kind of a cyclical nature of those organizations. So yes, if you're wanting to reach out, um, to veterans that aren't coming to the post, you have to, you have to do things that would incorporate families. That's a way to
loop families in and reach veterans. Otherwise, they're just not coming to the post. But also the mission isn't necessarily to gain membership, although that is a slight undertone, but it is to help,
uh, veterans. Just like last night, um,
it was not a recruiting mission to hand out candy to a bunch
of, uh... We had, like, 500 kids show up.
Sydney Collins: Oh my
gosh.
James Seipel: It was a
lot. Yes.
Sydney Collins: A
lot.
James Seipel: I've never seen so many smi- Spider-Man in my entire life. Oh,
Gus Audio: yeah.
James Seipel: That, that was the theme. We did trick or treat last night in [00:10:00] McPherson- Okay ... and that
was definitely a theme.
Okay. There was, uh, I was really impressed. There was two kids,
one the son. The brother dressed up as an iceberg And the daughter dressed up as the Titanic.
Sydney Collins: I love
that.
James Seipel: Very, very impressed with that.
Sydney Collins: that's brilliant.
James Seipel: Um, but that gave a lot of interaction with- um- kids, and that's a way. You've, you've gotta reach out into the community. So
from an auxiliary standpoint, if you wear anything that says Post 421 or
whatever post you're with, for me, they always assume because I'm male, they automatically assume, "Oh, he's a veteran."
And I've- That's just something that males deal with, uh, in the auxiliary.
And you have to stop and say, No, I'm not. I'm, I'm an auxiliary member." So
Gus Audio: Hmm.
Community Outreach and Unit Programs
---
Sydney Collins: What other programs
do you guys do?
Gus Audio: like
Sydney Collins: you have any... Like, f- f- for your unit, are there any programs that
you Like, are have continually to support families?
Gus Applequist: What is it that you do
James Seipel: what is it we do?
Sydney Collins: What is it that you do?
James Seipel: It's a good question. well, I'm a, I'm also the
president of, uh, Unit 421 Topeka.
Right. And our auxiliary, what we do
specifically is we've adopted the Sunflower Memory Care Unit [00:11:00] at the VA. It's a dementia
ward.
And they have about 12 residents
there. And so
what our auxiliary does is, uh, we go in and play games, bingo, uh- Uno, stuff like that.
And then for holidays, Easter we came in, brought Easter baskets. At Christmas time we come in,
bring Christmas gifts. During springtime we went out and, I'm gonna use the word terrace, I'm always
forget, there's a specific term for it.
The back porch is what it looks like to
me.
We went out and, uh, did some landscaping, planted flowers and- stuff like that
So it's that one-on-one interaction, um, uh, with them. So
specifically that's what
421 does.
On
Battle Buddy Linkup for Post 9/11 Vets
---
James Seipel: October 10th of, this is still October, uh, District One, um, adopted a program called the Battle Buddy Linkup, and what it does is it specifically targets post 9/11 veterans. And those are the veterans and those families that are just not, They're not prevalent in, in the, in the American Legion.
For a variety of reasons. Um, part of [00:12:00] it
could be due to PTSD issues. Part of it's just due to just acclimating back to the real world. Part of it's just due to schedule. You know, if you're married and you got two kids, you just don't have time to come down to-
um, the post or be- go to meetings and stuff like that.
So we have our first activity. Um, it's gonna take place on the 14th at, uh, World Cup Coffee, which is, uh, you could throw a stone from Washington University and hit it, um, from 10:00 to noon. And all it is, you just come in, um, grab a cup of coffee. We had somebody that's donating a meat package from Leonard's Meats.
Um, So it's just basically kind of a short meet and greet. And, uh, it'll evolve from there. So, um, that's the first, that's the first program of it.
So
Gus Audio: From
James Seipel: standpoint, it's essential to figure out specifically what their needs are. and because they're not coming to our post,
we have to go. It's kind of an outreach. kind of a-
project. So that's the first project in, uh, District One, and there's still [00:13:00] more in, in progress. And again, this just passed the 10th, so, um, I've been very busy.
Gus Audio: Mm-hmm.
James Seipel: How long have you been, um, with that unit or with that district?
I moved back from Pennsylvania in, about a year and a half ago. Okay. So I got in soon after that.
Sydney Collins: Very cool.
James Seipel: So,
Misconceptions and Gender Shifts
---
Sydney Collins: Um, are there any
common, like,
misconceptions with the auxiliary that, you guys run into all the time?
you mentioned
that,
you know, people think that you're a service member or veteran. Um, are there any others?
James Seipel: Yes, there are some misconceptions because,
because
women were, did make up the auxiliary for 100 years. There is a misconception that it is just a female only organization. And while it's important to recognize the strides that women did
for the first 100 years to get everything off the
ground- In
today's world, if the expectation is, well, the, the men, meaning the veterans group, will organize the activity, the [00:14:00] auxiliary will come in
and they'll take care of the, you know, they'll be in the kitchen, and they'll take care of the meals,
That just does not fly in 2026. It just doesn't. So the auxiliary's wanting to take a little bit more active
role in community service.
So, um,
bluntly
Speaking, they're not wanting to be stuck in the kitchen providing, you know, the cupcake thing. So,
um, but that is a misconception with that
Um, that that's, that's all they do,
Gus Audio: so
James Seipel: there are female veterans, they'll show up with their husbands, or they'll show up to a poster, an outing, and then most people will go to the husband, say, "Were you in the service?" And she's like, "No, I was, I'm the one that served."
So, um, again, the whole, the whole module's changing, um, with,
um, the changes in the military and stuff like that. So
Sydney Collins: Have you
Suicide Loss and PTSD Awareness
---
Sydney Collins: encountered any stories that have really kinda impacted you in in the way you serve and the way you, um, lead?
James Seipel: I have three family members that, um, that committed suicide that were in the service, and the most recent one was my, uh, cousin Cameron.
Cameron [00:15:00] Woolard. He was a, uh, specialist
with the 101st Airborne in Afghanistan. Last time I saw Cameron, he was living in St.
Petersburg, Florida,
and he was a toddler. And, uh, I was
asleep on the
couch and I woke up and my face felt really sticky. And he and his brother got into, uh, her
purse and grabbed her makeup and just decorated me. That's why my face was sticky. And, uh, we went out and played and Cameron asked me when I was
coming back and he didn't realize it was in Kansas.
And I said, "Well, I'll come see you soon." And life got in the way and I just, I never did. and then a couple
years
ago, um, I found out he passed and it, uh,
just like with all Green Star families. um, Green Star is a organization
that,
that's for families
that,
have, have lost loved ones due to suicide.
I mean, it's a punch in the gut.
And so that's always still resonated, uh, with me that uh, because, um,
Veteran suicide is a, is a huge problem that the, VA does try to [00:16:00] address, and that's why programs like the Battle Buddy
Link Up are important because you are reaching out to those. And that didn't exist for Cameron Lude. Um, he really struggled with, things that he saw while he was in Afghanistan.
So that would be, that'd be an example of why I'm really motivated to be involved.
Gus Audio: I see your shirt, "
Not
all wounds
James Seipel: Yes, Not all wounds are visible." It's,
uh, for PTSD awareness.
Gus Audio: Mm-hmm.
James Seipel: um, in fact, next week I've got meetings at the VA in
Topeka. They're really in- interested in the Battle Buddy Link Up as well, and they're interested in, um, developing more peer-to-peer, uh, social activities through the Battle Buddy Link Up.
So, um- it's a, it's a big deal. Um, uh, PTSD awareness, and the VA's all behind it, so they're
developing programs themselves to, to address that issue, and they're really relying on community involvement to get involved, and that's where American Legion, VFW, the auxiliaries can be a big help,
Partnerships and Unmet Needs
---
Sydney Collins: Are there any partnerships, for instance, there's a number of nonprofit [00:17:00] organizations that help vets.
How, um, or do you guys link up with them and do
different programs, or how do you support them, or how do they
support you or anything like that?
James Seipel: There are. Um, a couple weeks ago, I met with, uh, Fellowship Bible Church in Topeka.
It's a very large church,
and this is where I'd wore a different hat. I went in as the
chaplain of the Sons of the American, the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. And we're currently working
to adopt 10 families whose family members are currently-- they're in the Kansas Army
National Guard, but they're currently being deployed elsewhere.
And so the church is gonna work with
area
churches in Topeka to help, um,
get Christmas gifts for the families-
Sydney Collins: Oh, cool ...
James Seipel: um, to get that started. So that would be an
example of
And that's another aspect that the auxiliary needs to kinda step up and start working with
different partnerships.
You
can't do it all on your own. And it builds
more of a sense of
community when you've got different aspects of the community involved, so.
Gus Audio: So yeah
James Seipel: So um, the work still continues.
Sydney Collins: How [00:18:00] can organizations, um, like
that throughout Kansas
help
their communities? Is there, like, I mean, it's very different.
Like
Wichita's very different than Topeka- Right
Topeka's very different than Salina. Salina's very different
than, you know,
Colby.
Um, but is there a common thread to where,
um, either auxiliary or those nonprofits can
Gus Audio: kinda,
I'm
sure
there's unmet
needs-
Yeah across
the board.
Right.
Um,
What
are
some of the unmet
needs that veterans have,
um-
Sydney Collins: that we can help support more-
James Seipel: well,
right now specifically, it would be more social encounters-
um, for younger families. When, um, veterans come back, wherever they're deployed, doesn't necessarily have to be in a combat zone,
They're coming from an environment where, um, it's a very rural, regimented
environment, whether or '
not they're in combat or, or not.
And, um, there's consequences for every
action you take, and that's just your daily life [00:19:00] 24/7. And you come back to the real world, and a lot of that's just gone. So there's that acclimation period of getting used to that.
And so it's very common for veterans to develop a safety zone. Their safety zone is
their house.
And they're gonna
spend their
most of
their time at home.
Gus Audio: But
James Seipel: they'll go to work.
Um, they may go grocery shopping. Um, but
it's
We're getting in and getting out because they're still kind of in that threat assessment,
um, mentality. um,
And so developing social programs, whatever that
could be.
That could
be, um, oh, for example, uh, an ATV ride club if you got a
bunch of
veterans that are very interested in, um,
riding ATVs on- or,
or motorbikes. Um, there is an
American Legion
post in Alaska that holds,
uh,
Magic the Card game
where they have- I love it ... younger veterans come.
Uh, I don't know how much there is to do in Alaska.
That'd
Maybe something else. But they-
Sydney Collins: Apparently Magic: The Gathering and hunting.
James Seipel: Yes. So Magic, Yes, there you go. [00:20:00] But it, it tapped into that need, so their younger
veterans show up and they play Magic: The Gathering in the American Legion. And when
you
Just kind of say that people are Like that doesn't make any sense," but it does make perfect sense.
You're reaching out to their need.
So, um-
So,
part of that is just kind
of listening to what your needs are in your community and adapting from that. But
you can't do that unless you actually go out and reach out so.
On
the same token, veterans also need to reach out if they have those needs,
and some
do and some don't.
So it's, it kinda goes both ways.
Supporting Veteran Families
---
This episode is sponsored by Renaissance Café. Serving northern Italian cuisine prepared with a fresh contemporary influence, the Renaissance Café is one of Kansas' favorite restaurants. Whether you're planning a romantic dinner date, a family celebration, or an intimate meal with friends, the Renaissance provides a unique dining experience with an old world atmosphere. Open Thursday through Saturday evenings, the Renaissance Café is located just south of Salina in Assaria, Kansas. Visit renaissancecafeassaria.com to -book your reservation today
Gus Audio: [00:21:00] you all care obviously a great deal for veterans. Um, but there's also support that's needed for the families of veterans. Um, that, you know, they, they may have a family member who's, who's dealing
with PTSD,
um, or physical, uh, health issues resulting from their time in the service.
What does it look like to support the family, uh, as they support their loved one?
James Seipel: When I was at, uh, Fellowship Bibleship Church, they actually have, uh, they have a lot of ministries there. They have an outreach ministry, but they also have, um, her name's Lorraine, um, that specifically deals with family members that are members of the church that have, uh, loved ones that either are deployed or are veterans.
And She mentioned that they had a program where, um, it was a lady it was literally a ladies day out where it's like a spa day.
And, uh, so if families had kids, the church has a nursery, so they would watch the kids, and the ladies would go out for a spa day. Um, Part of that is that there's a [00:22:00] sense of just providing relief, and the, the, the main thing is just listen. Um, 'cause you-- people may-
have preconceived notions about, "Well, we can try this, this, and this," but until you actually figure out what their needs are, you're not really going anywhere. So it is just that simple step of just taking a, just, just listen. So that's a very general answer, but it's the truth. No, I, I, believe it. Yeah. I believe it.
Food Drive Story That Hit Home
---
Sydney Collins: I love
Good stories, so um,
kind of similar along the question I've already asked, but can you tell us about a time when something that, either a program that you guys have done or, um, something maybe you have done,
um, within
your unit, um, made a difference in someone or a family member
Gus Audio: of a
vet?
James Seipel: I accepted the, uh, position of president of, uh, Unit 421
in May,
and then, uh,
Nine days later, we held a food drive at Hy-Vee in Topeka
to support the 190th- because they had,
um, airmen that were deployed in[00:23:00]
operations in Iran. And like most people that. put together programs, you're So focused on the, logistics. We got volunteers
How are we are we interrupting, you know, customer flow at Hy-Vee? You're so focused on that. How are we getting the product in and out? But you really just kind of
don't pay attention to,
um, What's actually going on on the ground. And there was one gentleman that came up towards the
end. Um, my role that day was, um, Customers who would go- we had volunteers standing outside the store that passed out flyers. If you could just donate one
item- um, when you're making your purchases, um, the 190th would appreciate that. So they would come in the store, and they would come out, and they did not purchase one item, they purchased several items. So my job was to collect I'm so sick of those plastic bags at Hy-Vee. I still hear that. crinkling sound. Um, my job was to pick those bags
up, and I had a- I rented a truck, and I was filling this truck up so that's all I did is I pr-
Sydney Collins: Oh my goodness ...
James Seipel: picked stuff up and then drove them back to the post, and went back and forth.
And there's a gentleman that came
towards the end [00:24:00] that, well, was a Vietnam
veteran, and he walked up and just ... He already made purchases, and then he handed our, uh, secretary a $100 bill just for the sake of it. And he was explaining
that how important just receiving packages from home when you're overseas means, uh, to a veteran- 'cause it reminds you of not only what you're fighting for, but there's still people that you don't immediately see that still care about you. And that was really touching just to see. Um, 'cause again, we're just focused on the logistics, but this is that fought in a completely different war, but still concept
the same is you're, you're reaching out.
So that does kind of tug at the heartstrings a little bit, So Amazing.
Veterans Day in Kansas
---
James Seipel: what
Does Kansas do right when it comes to taking care of military
families? And what is something
Gus Audio: we
can
improve
on?
James Seipel: The
first Veterans Day parade-
in, my understanding, actually takes place in Leavenworth,
It's the oldest Veterans Day parade-
Sydney Collins: Really? ...
Gus Audio: in
Leavenworth. [00:25:00]
James Seipel: And so Leavenworth
um Obviously there's the
parade, but in posts across the state, well, across the nation as well,
they do a lot for like, free vet- free meals for, You come in, they do a free meal.
And they also promote stuff that's going on,
um, where
veterans can
get,
um,
free services
on Veterans Day. so
Something that could be... That, that, that's a positive aspect where it is recognized. Uh, there is a
parade
in Topeka as well that they do that, Something
that could be enhanced would be actually reaching out more to that younger community.
Burn Pits Explained
---
Gus Audio: Mm-hmm.
James Seipel: until
recently, burn
pits
were something that
may have not even been covered
by, um, the the VA. And so,
Sydney Collins: second. Can you define that?
James Seipel: Yes, I can define burn pits, and that's a very loose definition as well. Um, when you're stationed in somewhere in Afghanistan, Iraq, and, um, you're at a post and the military...
Let's say you're in the Army and you've gotta burn trash. You, you [00:26:00] dig a hole
and you burn it. And so a lot of times when they're clearing out, um, posts, they're burning trash. And that could be anything, computer equipment or they could be anything.
Sydney Collins: Oh, wow.
James Seipel: So if you're in that immediate area, you're smelling those toxins.
And, um, there are countless, I don't know the figures off the top of my head, but there are several veterans that were exposed to that, the toxins are in the air, and they're currently having,
uh, sym- symptoms from that. So in some ways it's
kind of replaced what Agent Orange did was
in-
Okay ... uh, in
Vietnam. Um, and th- these are real time issues that they're, they're dealing with.
Reaching Younger Veterans
---
James Seipel: so I think what Kansas
could do better is
just reaching out to those needs of, of, of
younger veterans and, Um- and help.
meeting those needs. Um- Mm ...and also getting them incorporated because they
the ex- experiences I've had is that younger veterans, they do wanna help.
Um, and a lot of them are community service oriented. It's just they don't know where to go. Um, and if the stereotype is, is that a bunch of old-timers hang out at the VFW and drink beer and
uh,
exchange
Vietnam [00:27:00] stories, they're not gonna, they're not gonna wanna go.
And they're not really
wanting to
go and rehash war stories anyways.
So if you could
help
open doors and bridge more pathways, that'd be something I think Kansas could really expand on,
And
This is a friendly state. I should point- ... I really need to point this out.
I spent six years in Pennsylvania, and the concept, like in Kansas, if you're driving down the road and you wave at somebody, they wave back.
Yep. In Pennsylvania, you wave at somebody, like,
"What's your problem?" What's going on?"
Gus Audio: So,
James Seipel: So, um, So
that, that f- that, the stereotype of this is a friendly state that, I think we could really feed on that fe- that stereotype and- and reach out more, so.
Is America Keeping Its Promise
---
Gus Applequist: I,
Gus Audio: I
feel like there's a, there's an implicit
promise
that
a
nation, our nation makes to,
to
young men
Gus Applequist: and
Gus Audio: women when
they go to war.
and that
promise
is that
you
go and you fight
for us,
Gus Applequist: and
we've got
your
Gus Audio: back.
Gus Applequist: You know, that be
Gus Audio: it
while you're
gone
or when
you get home, we've got
your
back.
Uh,
you
know,
from
what
[00:28:00] you see
as you work with families and
veterans,
do you
feel
like that promise is being kept?
James Seipel: Yes and no. Um, yes in the sense that there are organizations out there that are willing to, to help, that do activities. Like, I mean, you check to see that there are several. For
Veterans Day, um, there are several
places that offer free meals. Denny's does stuff.
Um, Applebee's is another. I think Outback Steakhouse still provides, uh, vouchers.
You can get a free six-ounce ste- s- sirloin steaks, I think.
Um, so
there's still companies
that do that. But, and I think this maybe has to do with the culture that we currently live in now, is that there are service men and women right now, today, right now, that are in environments, we have no
idea where they're stationed, where their concern is, is a drone gonna hit the facility where I'm at?
Right now, it's happening right now.
And that's not something to-- And it could be via a variety of reasons.
It's not, you know, a hot media topic or, or [00:29:00] whatever.
But I do think our culture is not, as a whole, is-- it's not a concern of ours. We're more concerned about, depending on your generation, uh, Instagram likes or, um,
more super- more superficial aspects of it. But there are, um, there was a KC-135 that was shot down
a few months ago,
and at the
Topeka area, there were
several families worried because they did not know if it was the 190 they were refueling or not.
And these are people that go to your, you
know, they're your churches, they go to your schools, and they didn't know
is Mommy and Dad are still alive.
But if
you're not part of that
environment, it's, you know, it, it's not that big a deal to you, generally speaking. So I think a little bit more sensitivity regarding these issues, um, would be a big help.
VA Enrollment Gap
---
James Seipel: Um, the VFW had a slogan, Honor the Contract, and that contract was that, uh, we will take care of you when,
when you get back out. but
then
That also goes a two-way street. I recently spoke to, uh, [00:30:00] a post 9/11 uh, transition specialist.
And
she said that only 40% of post 9/11 veterans actually enroll
Gus Audio: in
VA healthcare.
S- You
said
James Seipel: Only 40%
do.
Sydney Collins: Really?
James Seipel: That's correct. That means 60% are not going, and the common conception is, well, I'm not disabled. We don't have to be
disabled to-
you don't have to be disabled to join the VA. Um, and you earned that. Now, the VA has its, its, its positive,
and it is a government organization, so it does have the plus and minuses. But you earned that when you raised your hand and swore an oath to defend the Constitution. So, um, so it kinda goes both ways on, um, to answer your question.
But I do think that, uh- We could do more
just on a, a human level. Whether or not you
agree with what's going on in Iran, that's a whole other issue. But just on a human level, there are families right now, as I mentioned, that don't know,
you know, where their loved ones are.
They can't say. And, um, with the holidays coming up, you know, mom and dad aren't gonna be [00:31:00] home, and so the children have to get used to that, and that's what they deal day in and day out. That's the environment they grow up in,
How to Volunteer Locally
---
Sydney Collins: If someone wants to get involved but they don't qualify to be a member, how
Gus Audio: do,
how
can they
Sydney Collins: out?
James Seipel: You always, you can always contact your local post ...and just volunteer.
Um, we're always looking
For help and volunteers. Um, Post 421 is a little different in
Topeka. Um,
generally
speaking, the way most, the culture
in the American
Legion VFWs is if you're a VFW member, you go to the VFW meetings. If you're the auxiliary, you go to the auxiliary meetings. Uh, Post 421 Topeka's a little different. Um, you can be a son, be in the Sons of the American Legion, you can be in the auxiliary, and you still go to post meetings.
You can't vote,
but you can still go to that. So it's more of a family, uh, environment to that.
So if somebody that wasn't a member of the post, they could still show up and
just volunteer, um, 'cause they're always, um, they're always needing volunteers.
Sydney Collins: how can people find more about [00:32:00] volunteer opportunities, just information, anything like that? Where can they find more information for it? for-
James Seipel: In the state of Kansas, you can go directly to the Department of Kansas American Legion Auxiliary.
Um, if there are local posts, and I know in Salina there's two posts here.
Um, in Topeka there's three. You just contact your local post.
Some
of '
em,
some of 'em do have Facebook pages, some of 'em don't due to the ages of the people in the auxiliary. Fair.
Gus Audio: That's Fair.
Mm-hmm.
James Seipel: But that's also a work in progress as well, is just to, to reach out and, uh, and, and contact folks.
Gus Audio: So,
Why Join These Groups
---
Gus Audio: so
let's say, uh, there's a listener at home who's a veteran, and they haven't engaged
in, in these organizations.
Uh,
what would you say to them about what they
stand to
gain?
James Seipel: Well, some of the benefits, immediate
benefits of
joining either the American Legion VFW or the auxiliary themselves is there's a sense of camaraderie and, and folks that have been through what you've gone through. For example, in the American Legion or [00:33:00] VFW, those veterans, um, remember
what it was like to actually go through basic training.
Um, I'm
Just gonna leave it at that.
Um, and what, what
it's
actually like to be in service. um, and all the, the lovely, um, aspects of that, and also what it's like when you actually get out. Um, when you're
discharged from, uh, the military, there's not this gigantic, huge information,
"Here's a packet, here you go, this is what you. do."
Now, there are, um, resources at the VA, but unless you don't know where to go, you're just kind of flying, flying blind. And, um, so the benefit of these organizations is it does
allow a sense of immediate camaraderie. The same thing with the auxiliary, is that there are family members, um, who are members of the auxiliary that understand what it's like to have a, a family member that's deployed.
Um, and so you, there is a sense of camaraderie of people that have walked in similar shoes that you.
It's just taking that initial step to
reach out and, uh, um, and,
and seek those opportunities.
And the flip [00:34:00] side is those or- these are our organizations have to be more
willing to step out as well,
um, is that we are--
focused on
what activities that we're doing, but actually we have to be out in the
community. It can
be
Something s- simple, as sim- as, as simple as
wearing
a American Legion auxiliary
hat, and somebody walks up to you and they see that, and you just start a conversation. Um, that happened countless times, uh, when we were passing out candy last night, where people just ask you who you're with, and then you start talking.
So, um, so it's a two-way street where both need to reach out, but
there is a sense of home, um, and camaraderie in these organizations.
Gus Audio: I,
Is War Worth It
---
Gus Audio: I... There's a phrase out there, the necessity of war. You know, that that this is a thing
that we s- we have to have.
And, and, you know, I, I guess I have my own feelings about that, and and there's definitely been times in history when we have absolutely needed war, in my opinion. Um, but I don't see the cost to the individual.
I don't... You know, these, these are things I've maybe watched TV shows about- ......or [00:35:00] heard anecdotes- but I haven't experienced it as you have, growing up and living in a family where, where those costs
have been borne, uh, by, by individuals in your life. So, you know, how do you sort
of... You
know...
does-- Is war worth it
Um,
James Seipel: That's a good question. Is war worth it? No. But when you go and you raise your hand to defend the Constitution of the United States, you're putting your life on the line to defend the Constitution of the United States, and you're not the one making that decision on where you're
going.
And
so,
um,
you Sign a contract
that this is what you're gonna do, and then you go to basic training,
and you get trained.
Uh, the military decides where you go, despite what recruiters tell you. They may
say you can do this, that, and the other.
I tried to actually enlist when I was 18, and I've worn glasses since I was in first grade. and the Army recruiter
told me I'd make an excellent helicopter
pilot.
There is no way the U.S. Army's gonna
have me
flying a helicopter.
It's not gonna happen. Not in a million
years. [00:36:00] But, uh, I couldn't get in for other reasons, but I do, and I have never forgotten that. "Oh, you'd make a
great helicopter pilot." Um-
Sydney Collins: I
like that a recruiter can just meet someone and be like- ... "You know what you
could do?" "
James Seipel: You'd be perfect at this."
Sydney Collins: You're really good at this."
Well, they have quotas to meet.
James Seipel: Yes. They have quotas to meet, so they're gonna say whatever they can say. Um, not that all recruiters are-
Sydney Collins: are
like
that ... are like that.
James Seipel: But- But the one that talked to me was. I'm just gonna leave it at that
Um, Sergeant whatever his name was.
Um, so they make a decision, this is what I'm gonna do, and the US
military, um, trains you.
So if, when you.
join the Marine Corps, you're a rifleman first. That is your primary duty. You're a rifleman. Um, and that is your job and what, what you're training for, because there are people's lives that
depend on you, and that's the environment you grow up on, that I've got your six, I've got, I've got, you know, you, we got each other's backs.
So, uh, recently the USS Abraham Lincoln
came back after an extremely long, uh, tour, [00:37:00] and I don't know if anybody saw, but the
condition
of the ship when it came in, it looked all rusted.
Sydney Collins: It was rough.
James Seipel: When
you're...
I have
a,
I spoke to my uncle
recently that, uh,
he did two tours in Vietnam, and I
asked him, "Does the,
the
ships
Gus Audio: look
like
that
when they
come
back?"
James Seipel: And he colorfully
said, "Well, yes, the ship is in seawater for over a year." "It's gonna have some repair to it." But when you're not in that environment, you're looking at the USS Abraham Lincoln, and it looked like a rust bucket when it came into San Diego.
So,
um, but all those sailors on there,
they made a decision, this is what I'm doing for my life, and some of those people are career.
So when it comes to
um, war, I don't think,
it's not
something that, yes, I'm gonna strive to go do, but these are individuals that, said, "I swore an oath
to defend the Constitution," and that's the choice that they made. So
yeah it
is kind
of a
fine
line.
But, um,
the politics behind that
really doesn't matter [00:38:00] when you're the one in the foxhole
being shot at.
Um, you're, you're more concerned about your, your brother and sister in arms and, and saving their lives, um, than you are on the politics behind that, so. And I do think that that's kind of Where the general public just doesn't realize that. 'Cause you're
not,
they're not, you're, we're not part of that culture.
We don't, uh... I've never served,
Gus Audio: so
James Seipel: I don't
know
what
it's like to be, um, in direct combat or getting prepped for combat. Um, I
spoke to a, a Vietnam veteran recently
that was
in, uh, 101st Airborne Vietnam. and he said one of the most scariest
things that he
ever
went through was when helicopters would land, was actually getting off the helicopter because they don't know what they're stepping into. There could be booby traps. And if the bamboo gra- grasses were like, you don't know what's down there.
It's that instant se- of stepping off. But you're not thinking about why am I in
Vietnam? Does
that have anything... Right now you're just trying to figure out how you're gonna survive.
So, um, so the politics of war and why we're here, that's great to debate, and [00:39:00] it should be debated by the general public because we're the ones that elect the leaders that decide where we're going.
But when you're the one behind the trigger, you're the one be- you know, on, on ship, you don't really have those options. You're, you're following orders. So
I hope wasn't a
cop-out
answer.
Gus Applequist: No. No. Thank you for, for, answer. Yeah. And thanks for joining Yes,
Sydney Collins: thank you.
James Seipel: Oh, thank, you Oh thank today. Appreciate it. Yeah. Glad to be here.
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Hosts Reflect on Veterans Day
---
Sydney Collins: So when we were talking with James- um, a little bit after, you know, the cameras are off, sometimes we have really [00:40:00] fun conversations. And, and it is Veterans Day this week, and he was saying how, yes, it's great, um, you know, if you go up and think of that, but that's not why they do it. And I wanna kinda pay homage back to, um, our conversation with Dr.
Andrew Orr, where he makes this really good point, 'cause you were talking about the Memorial Library at- Kansas- was it Kansas Wesleyan?
Gus Applequist: Kansas Wesleyan,
Sydney Collins: And how, uh, vets don't do what they do to get a library named after them. That's not the point.
And, um, James was also making that point as well-
um, when we were talking, talking to him. So I encourage everybody just to learn more-
about vets, their families. If you are one of those people, feel free to have those conversations with people who have no idea.
And that is just, it's eye-opening. You will find [00:41:00] out different perspectives than you, you probably can't even imagine.
And it's just like with anybody who has any type of history. Like- I c- I could probably give, uh, 10 million examples of, um, people who have different perspectives, but just make sure you're, you're being open and making sure you're having the conversation, 'cause that's really what this podcast is all about, is opening those doors.
Gus Applequist: Well, also, you know, obviously if, if there's a veteran in your life who doesn't wanna talk, um- there's, there's many ways you can support them without trying to confront them in a conversation about their service. Um-
Sydney Collins: How do you feel?
And he's
like, "
Anyway, sorry."
Gus Applequist: So I think, I think we, we couldn't do a show like this without a country that, that is, you know, defined by the, the efforts by thousands of people- over years to keep us safe. So, so thank you veterans.
Dartography Rooks County
---
Sydney Collins: So we did some Dartography- That's true ... a long, long, long, long, long time ago, and we have yet to go back to it.
Gus Applequist: So if, if you don't know what we're talking [00:42:00] about, Dartography is our ongoing segment where I ask Sydney to throw a dart at a map of Kansas.
And, and then I research the area that the dart lands. And so, uh, this time, or last time I should say, the dart landed in Rooks County, a few miles north of Woodston, Kansas.
Sydney Collins: Woodston.
Gus Applequist: Woodston. So I have three stories for you about, uh, this area, about Rooks County. And the first-
Sydney Collins: Where... So this is what? North-
Gus Applequist: This is, like, north of Hays, basically.
Sydney Collins: North of Hays? Okay.
Gus Applequist: Yep.
Woodston Name Origin
---
Gus Applequist: So the first thing I'm gonna tell you about is how Woodston got its name. And to do that, I have to start 10 miles to the east, actually in Osborne County, in a town that's now called Alton. You see, Alton was founded in 1870 as Bull City which, which is named for its founder, a man named Hiram Bull.
Ironically, at least I think it's ironic, Bull kept a pet elk. And in October of 1879, that elk killed him, along with two other men. [00:43:00] Uh,
Sydney Collins: How does an elk kill somebody, other than just you not moving out of the way?
Gus Applequist: It's a good question. I, I didn't research that. I, I do happen to know that, that his wife, uh, did not want the, the elk to, to be killed because she was fond of it.
Sydney Collins: Um-
That's such a wifey thing.
Gus Applequist: Regardless, six years later in 1885, the town changed its name to Alton. So that'll be important in a second. So, uh, if, if you're not familiar, the way that a lot of towns in Kansas form or formed- was, uh, because of the railroad. Like, the railroad would come through, and every 10 miles or so they needed to have a place for the, uh, the train to stop and, you know, get water and, and refuel.
Um, and then that also gave a place for, for new land to be sold and, and make them, you know, give them business basically. So, uh, Alton was founded, and about 20 miles away Stockton was founded, and they needed another town in between the two. So, uh, the new town was gonna be laid out, and someone had to decide [00:44:00] what to call it.
Now, there were some people that were really upset that Bull City had changed- ... its name to Alton. And so they said, "Hey, we'll move all of our stuff over there as long as you use the word Bull City." but a Stockton banker named Charles Woods, uh, made a better offer. He said he'd put $500 towards a school if they named it after him, and so that's how Woodston was named Woodston.
So, uh, by the 1960s, Woodston grew to about 320 people, and by 2020 it was down, like many small towns, to about 94. interestingly, one of the foremost, uh, experts in the Santa Fe Trail is... He, he's a, a local named Dr. Leo Olivia. He is a Fort Hays State professor. And in his history of Woodston, he wrote that, "There's no reason for Woodston to survive, but it'll always remain an important part of the history of the Solomon Valley."
So that is, uh, that is the first of my three [00:45:00] stories. The second-
Sydney Collins: Oh, thank goodness ...
Gus Applequist: is, is a lot shorter.
Codell Triple Tornado
---
Gus Applequist: In the southeast corner of Rooks County, there is a town called Codell. And on May 20th, 1916, a tornado hit. You know, pretty, pretty normal for Kansas. For Kansas, Exactly one year later on May 20th, 1917, another tornado hit Codell.
Sydney Collins: What is going on with May 20th?
Gus Applequist: I don't know. But it gets even crazier because a year after that on May 20th, 1918, a third tornado, this time an F4-
Sydney Collins: Move ... Move the whole town.
Gus Applequist: It hit directly and this time it destroyed the school and two churches. So this story was strange enough that it made Ripley's Believe It or Not, and on the 100th anniversary in 2018 the town put up a steel cyclone sculpture to mark it.
So as, as far as I know they've had a good run since, so may that run continue, knock on wood.
Sydney Collins: Do we have wood around here?
Gus Applequist: we sure do.
Sydney Collins: I think everything is synthetic.
Gus Applequist: No, right, right [00:46:00] here.
Sydney Collins: Right here. Oh, right here?
Gus Applequist: We're good.
Sydney Collins: Okay.
Gus Applequist: We're good.
Plainville Airmail Tragedy
---
Gus Applequist: Okay, third story about Rooks County. This comes from Plainville, uh, which is the largest town in the county.
Most people know Plainville for, uh, well one of its political names, Senator Jerry Moran- is from Plainville. Um, also from Plainville, I didn't know this, Stephanie Grisham who was a press secretary in Trump's first administration. Uh, she I guess bought a house in Plainville during the pandemic and wrote her memoir there.
So I, I didn't know this.
James Seipel: Huh.
Gus Applequist: Um, but, but the story I wanna tell you goes back more than 100 years to 1924. And it actually doesn't take place in Kansas unfortunately, or fortunately. Um, but the main character was from Plainville. In July of that year the post office started airmail where they were flying mail across the country to speed up delivery.
Sydney Collins: Okay.
Gus Applequist: And, uh, for almost six months and across 1.2 million miles not a single pilot was killed. They had a great safety record until four days before Christmas a 28-year-old [00:47:00] relief pilot named Clarence Gilbert took off from Chicago heading west with the overflow of holiday mail. Gilbert was born in Plainville, Kansas, and so that's the local connection.
But over Illinois he flew into a blinding snowstorm and decided he wasn't gonna make it, so he jumped. Uh, and sadly his parachute failed. Uh, investigators letter, later said that before he went over the side he had switched off the plane's electrical system so the mail wouldn't catch fire. Um, he was the first airmail pilot to die since the night flights began.
And in 1967 Congressman Bob Dole came to Plainville to dedicate a memorial to him. So, so this is my little opportunity to thank all of our, uh, our mail people out there for, mail carriers for-
all the work that they do in, um, in the service of getting information where it needs to flow. So-
Sydney Collins: Okay ...
Gus Applequist: that is, uh, that is dirtography- for this time. But-
Sydney Collins: Is it?
Gus Applequist: Please.
Sydney Collins: KU football player Jared [00:48:00] Casey, isn't he from Plainville? I should know this- We're getting- ... 'cause I'm, like, really good friends with- his sister, but I- Ah ... always forget.
Gus Applequist: We're getting a good fact check from our-
Sydney Collins: Let me fact
check that ...
Gus Applequist: off camera.
Sydney Collins: I believe so.
Gus Applequist: Sydney
Next Dart Throw
---
Gus Applequist: would you like to throw the dart?
Sydney Collins: Yes.
Gus Applequist: Okay.
So so we'll, we'll, uh, we've got a camera on, on the dart over here. She is winding up, she is stretching. She has picked up the dart now, and she is taking aim. Lining it up, you know, doing a little... Oh, shoot.
Oh, okay. It, where's it- It's gone. No, no, we are, we have moved west a little bit. We're no longer in Rooks County. Um- Graham County Moreland? Dudley. Okay. Well, we have, we have our research to do, uh, for the next edition of Dartography. Dartography. Thank you, Sydney. West of Hill City she says. So if, if you're interested in learning about, uh, that location, tune in to our next episode where we'll talk about it.
Wrap Up and Credits
---
Gus Applequist: That brings us to the [00:49:00] end of another episode of Ask a Kansan.
Sydney Collins: make sure to check out our website at askakansan.com, where you can find, um, our library of over 80 episodes now, um, links to our social media, um, our line of merch, which we do have new stuff coming out.
We have, um, our new sweatshirts with the... It's a bison wearing a headphone. Um, and it says, "Made for curious Kansans," on the back. So ch- make sure to check that out. Um, also make sure to subscribe to the Curious Kansan newsletter. You'll find, um, different stories that, um, come out each month, um, that Tanner, um, does.
This past one was the Cultural Crawl that actually-
Gus Applequist: Here in Salina. It's a great program where-
Sydney Collins: It's super cool ...
Gus Applequist: uh, kids in elementary school are taken to, to many of the, like, important cultural institutions- of Salina, and it's, it's, it's a great way to keep our cultural stuff going into the next generation.
Sydney Collins: So anything from music to art to, um, the Salina Symphony to l- um-
Gus Applequist: Or River Way ...
Sydney Collins: River Way to museums. All, [00:50:00] all the cultural things that happen.
Gus Applequist: So check that out. Ask a Kansan is a production of Fili Creative produced right here in Salina, Kansas. Our show is produced by Tanner Colvin and Julie Mindrup.
Technical direction is by Merlin Shippy, graphic design's by Austin Tone, and edited by our friends Bryan and Alan at Forge Podcast Company in Wichita. Thanks to Everyday Lights for the use of our theme song, Horse Thief Canyon.
Sydney Collins: For everyone here, um, at Ask a Kansan, thank you for tuning in.
Gus Applequist: And remember, every Kansan has a story.
Sydney Collins: What's yours?