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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 23, 2008 No. 08-117 KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD RECEIVES AWARD FOR HISTORICAL PRESERVATION EFFORTS The National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded the Kansas Army
National Guard one of the 21 Preservation Honor Awards for 2008 during
the 2008 National Preservation Conference in Tulsa, Okla. The award was
presented today, Oct. 23, in response to Kansas National Guard efforts
to preserve and restore some of its 49 armories, many of which were constructed
in the 1950s. As part of the 150th anniversary of the KSARNG in 2005, the Kansas Guard
surveyed 49 armories and secured National Register listing for those that
qualified. Restoration projects were started at the historic Kingman and
Hiawatha armories and have since been completed. The Kansas National Guard
was the first state agency to take advantage of Kansas Rehabilitation
Tax Credits in the completion of these projects. The preservation plans
developed by the Kansas National Guard have been distributed to other
states as models. "I am so proud that the Kansas National Guard took the initiative
to document these armories and have them listed on the National Register,"
said Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. "These armories are often a focal point
of community activities in some of our smaller towns. These preservation
efforts are just one more way the men and women of the Kansas National
Guard demonstrate their commitment to serving the citizens of Kansas." "The National Guard has a long and proud history here in Kansas,"
said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general. "We try to preserve
as much of that history as we can, so future generations will know about
that great heritage. By preserving the historical nature of our armories,
we're leaving a legacy for them to enjoy." "The Army National Guard is playing an important role in preserving
Kansas's history," said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation. "Their dedication and thoroughness is
a role model for preservationists across the country." -30-
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