By SALINA POST
HERINGTON - The Herington Post Office will be getting a new name on Tuesday, one that honors an area Army chaplain who died in a prisoner of war camp during the Korean War.
Thanks to a bill championed by First District Congressman Tracey Mann, the Herington Post Office will be renamed the "Captain Emil J. Kapaun Post Office Building."
Emil Kapaun was born and raised in nearby Pilsen on a family farm. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944, where he served his country in World War II and the Korean War. He died in a prisoner of war camp on May 23, 1951, at only 35 years old. Kapaun was awarded a Bronze Star and a Medal of Honor for his valiant service in the Korean War.
In March 2021, Kapaun's remains were identified in Hawaii, and in September 2021, brought back to his hometown of Pilsen in September for a celebration of life. The Roman Catholic Church is in the process of examining Father Kapaun's life to potentially canonize him as a saint.
Activities Tuesday are scheduled to begin with the Fr. Emil J. Kapaun Memorial Mass at 11:30 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 712 N. Broadway in Herington.
The Mass will be concelebrated by priests of the Salina and Wichita dioceses.
The renaming dedication at the post office, 17 E. Main Street, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Mann and members of the Herington community are scheduled to speak during the dedication.
Additionally, Kapaun's US Medal of Honor and Tsegeuk, Korean Medal of Honor will be on display across the street at the Dix Day Post 1281 VFW, 101 E. Main. Refreshments will be served at the VFW.
The events are open to the public.