Armistice Day – Veterans Day Centennial Celebration

There was perfect weather for the celebration in Kensington Kansas on November 9th , 2019. This year many floats sported the number 100. The theme of this year’s celebration was titled appropriately “A Century of Service” and included in the activities was a craft fair, pie stand, quilt drawing, Candy Day sales for Sight Foundation by the Kensington Lions Club, and poppies for sale by the Legion Auxiliary. The parade began at 11:15 a.m.

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1919, the Armistice was signed ending the Great War, the War to end all Wars; World War I. Cities and town throughout the USA celebrated that day; one of those towns was Kensington Kansas. {{more}}

On November 11, 1919 the Kensington community celebrated the first anniversary of that great day. On November 9, 2019 (closest Saturday to the 11th ) they will celebrate the one hundredth year. During the 100 years there have been only two cancellations, one during World War II and one due to a blizzard. It is believed this the oldest celebration of Armistice Day/Veterans Day in the Nation.

The pattern for this year’s celebration follows the 100-year tradition of a special speaker, a salute to all veterans, a huge parade and the best roast beef and navy beans anywhere around. There are afternoon activities and a dance in the American Legion Hall to wind up the Day. The event is hosted by the Sons of the American Legion of Fred Marran Post 166, also celebrating their centennial year.

The Speaker is Retired MSG Marti Mace with nearly 30 years of service in the US Army; carrying the title, “American Military Piper”. She is a third-generation military veteran, joining the Army just out of high school. She has been playing the bagpipes since childhood and now plays them to honor veterans, living and dead around the World. Her latest honor was to be the only American Piper invited to play on the Beaches of Normandy, France in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. She is a Native of Southwest Kansas and has never forgotten her roots. The town of Kensington boasts a slogan “The Biggest Little Town of its Size in the State of Kansas!” They have a grade school and high school and one community grocery store, post office, bank, convenience store, car dealership, and restaurant. But there are many other businesses in and near Kensington, on highway 36 in northern Kansas in Smith County.

The closest historical attraction is the Home on the Range cabin, north of highway 36 on The Home on the Range Highway, former highway 8 going north to Nebraska.