KCKCC students, faculty talk about military service in ‘Veterans Speak’ event

Panelists took a few moments to share their experiences in the military during the annual Veterans Speak event at KCKCC Nov. 10. (KCKCC photo)
Panelists took a few moments to share their experiences in the military during the annual Veterans Speak event at KCKCC Nov. 10. (KCKCC photo)

by Kelly Rogge
Students, staff and faculty members at Kansas City Kansas Community College had the opportunity to share their military experience during the annual Veterans Speak event Nov. 10.

Among the guest speakers were Sarah E. Finney, U.S. Army; Alex Hanley, U.S. Air Force; Diane Hite, U.S. Marine Corps; Ruben Noguera, U.S. Marine Corps and Cherilee Walker, U.S. Navy. The event served as a way for the KCKCC community to honor those who have served in the military.

“In this age of ISIS terrorism, fear and kidnapping of innocent school girls, we must not forget the services of the great men and women who sacrifice their lives in order that we might have a more secured and better future,” said Ewa Unoke, associate professor of political science at KCKCC. “This year’s turnout was very impressive. In total, there were an estimated 80 students, faculty and staff members who participated.”

Each of the panelists took a few moments to share their experiences in the military. Introductions were followed by questions from Unoke, who served as moderator, as well as some questions from the audience. Among those who attended were KCKCC students, faculty and staff members.

“Many of the students at KCKCC are veterans, and it is important to give them an opportunity to be showcased on Veterans Day,” said Joseph Grasela, reference librarian at KCKCC and co-organizer of the event. “It is important for their fellow students to see that they are just like them, trying to improve their lives and advance now that they are no longer in the service.”

Grasela said by having an event such as Veterans Speak, it gives students and staff an opportunity to show appreciation for those who served their country.

“We are very thankful to all faculty who supported the event,” he said. “We hope the students in the audience took away an appreciation for the sacrifices that the veteran speakers made for them. We also hope that the veterans had an opportunity to be showcased and realize just how valuable their contributions to our country were, no matter how large or small.”

The event was sponsored by the Students for Global Peace, the Ralph Bunche Society, the Intercultural Center and the KCKCC Library. For more information about Veterans Speak, contact Dr. Ewa Unoke at 913-288-7119 or by email at eunoke@kckcc.edu. Information is also available by contacting Joseph Grasela at 913-288-7650 or by email at jgrasela@kckcc.edu.

Kelly Rogge is the public information supervisor at KCKCC.

Professor Ewa Unoke assisted Cherilee Walker as she talked about her military service during the annual Veterans Speak event at KCKCC Nov. 10. (KCKCC photo)
Professor Ewa Unoke assisted Cherilee Walker as she talked about her military service during the annual Veterans Speak event at KCKCC Nov. 10. (KCKCC photo)

Local veteran helps military service members

Brent Meyers, who returned to civilian life in September, is selling Combat Corn, a type of popcorn.
Brent Meyers, who returned to civilian life in September, is selling Combat Corn, a type of popcorn.

Leaving the Air Force recently after 10 years, Brent Meyers now is trying to do something to help service members.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, he was selling “Combat Corn,” a kind of kettle corn, at the Wyandotte County Veterans Day commemoration event at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Village in Kansas City, Kan.

“The idea behind it is to give back,” Meyers said. “The idea is to give bags year-round to the down-range guys.”

Meyers was a technical sergeant who saw overseas duty in combat areas. He was sent to Iraq once and to Afghanistan three times.

He left military service Sept. 1, and will be spending much more time with his wife and three children, he said. He added he has a home-based business; his wife is an event planner. Already he has made appearances at several community events.

His “Combat Corn” product, “Kettle for a Cause,” is donating some of the proceeds to the USO, he said.

For more information about Combat Corn, visit www.combatcorn.com or www.facebook.com/combatcorn.

Moser stepping down from KDHE post

KanCare architect says it’s the right time to ‘look at other opportunities’

by Jim McLean, KHI News Service

Topeka — Dr. Robert Moser has resigned as secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

His resignation will be effective at the end of the month.

Moser broke the news to the agency’s staff late Monday afternoon in an email.

“I am stepping down from my current position as KDHE secretary and state health officer effective the end of November,” Moser said.

Moser said “it was a hard decision” to leave the state’s public health and Medicaid agency.

“However, it is the right time for me and my family to look at other opportunities,” he said.

Moser was not immediately available for additional comment.

It’s not unusual to have turnover on a governor’s Cabinet prior to the start of a second term.

Moser took the reins of KDHE in January of 2011 at the age of 52. Prior to that, he practiced medicine for 22 years in his southwest Kansas hometown of Tribune.

Moser earned pharmacy and medical degrees from the University of Kansas.

As secretary, Moser helped to oversee the dismantling of the Kansas Health Policy Authority and the relocation of the Medicaid program to KDHE. He also was instrumental in the creation of KanCare, the Brownback administration’s privatization of Medicaid.

Since January of 2013, the $3.2 billion program has been administered by three for-profit managed care companies.

Moser said putting all Medicaid enrollees into managed care would allow the state to provide better, more coordinated care.

“There will be an intense focus on data as we hold ourselves accountable through the performance of our care organizations,” he said at a November 2011 news conference.

Moser and other Brownback administration officials have said that despite some persistent administrative problems, KanCare is on track to achieve its twin goals of reducing costs and improving care. But nearly two years after its launch, providers from across the state continue to complain about late payments and difficulties getting the MCOs to authorize needed services.

Moser was criticized last spring for approving what appeared to be a political appointment to a high-level job overseeing the financial performance of KanCare.

Former Republican Rep. Phil Hermanson landed the inspector general’s job despite not having any relevant education or training. He resigned a few weeks into the job after questions also were raised about his previous legal and financial problems.

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