15 YEARS AGO

may 28, 2008

Marion Indoor Aquatic Center opened Monday and drew more than 150 swimmers of all ages. The City of Marion had been without a pool since the summer of 2006 but now will have one year-round. The gymnasium attached to the pool will open later this summer.

The cause for the canonization of Father Emil Kapaun, an Army chaplain who died while in a North Korean Prisoner of War camp in 1951, officially will be opened June 29.

A 7,200-square-foot building is being constructed north of the current John Deere dealership, Prairieland Partners, at 902 N. Cedar St. The new building should be completed by the end of July. Flaming Metal Systems Inc. of Peabody is the contractor.

Longtime Marion resident John Britain has served Memorial Day meals and other meals at Marion VFW for 56 years. He says it may be time to step aside. Many others have helped with meals on Memorial Day and other occasions in an effort to raise money for the post home. The group typically serves 150 to 175 people on Memorial Day.

Pictured with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and State Rep. Don Dahl are Marion students who were pages May 2 in the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka. They included Dakota Funk, Quentin Hett, Shayla Kline, and Alexa Smith.