Consultant hired for Kapaun return
Staff writer
County commissioners want to put the best foot forward when Pilsen native Father Emil Kapaun’s remains are returned to his hometown for two days Sept. 25.
They also want to see what can be done to prepare for expected increases in the number of tourists to Kapaun’s home town and future events related to Kapaun.
Planning and zoning director Sharon Omstead asked commissioners to approve adding money to the county’s contract with Russ Ewy and Baughman Co. to assist with planning for future events related to Kapaun.
Commissioners voted to add $5,000 for the September event and will consider adding up to an additional $5,000 later.
Kapaun’s remains, recently identified through DNA testing in Honolulu, will be flown from Honolulu, Sept. 25 to Eisenhower Airport in Wichita.
A procession will take the remains to Pilsen.
After two days in Pilsen, the remains will be transported to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. A Sept. 28 vigil service will be followed by a Sept. 29 funeral. Both services will be at Wichita’s Hartman Arena.