Kansas Will Install Medal of Honor Memorial
The state plans to honor Chaplain Emil Kapaun with a new memorial inside the Kansas Statehouse by late 2027.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Kansas officials are preparing to install a memorial for Chaplain Emil Kapaun at the statehouse by late 2027. Fundraising efforts for the project have already secured 96% of the required $250,000 goal.
Why it matters
The memorial serves to honor the legacy of the Kansas native who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his service as a prisoner of war. State officials strategically placed the monument to connect with veteran-focused tributes already present in the capitol.
The fundraising campaign has reached 96% of the $250,000 total goal required for the project. Taxpayer funds are not being utilized for the construction of the statehouse artwork.
The players
Emil Kapaun
He was a military chaplain and a recipient of the Medal of Honor who died while serving as a prisoner of war.
Capitol Preservation Committee
This body oversees the maintenance and installation of historical art and monuments within the Kansas Statehouse.
Senne Co.
This firm is the primary contractor working with the state to manage the construction of the new memorial.
Lundeen Sculpture
This studio based in Loveland, Colorado, is the contracted artist responsible for crafting the memorial.
Chase Blasi
He is a representative who has provided administrative updates regarding the memorial project to the state committee.
The details
The Capitol Preservation Committee has finalized a memorandum of understanding with Senne Co. and contracted Lundeen Sculpture to produce the memorial. Engineers are currently designing a specialized base to support the weight of the installation on the second floor of the statehouse.
Timeline
Father Emil Kapaun died as a prisoner of war in 1951.
The remains of Father Kapaun returned to Kansas in 2021.
Kansas lawmakers unanimously authorized the memorial in 2024.
The Capitol Preservation Committee reviewed fundraising progress in December 2025.
Chase Blasi provided an update to the Capitol Preservation Committee on October 1, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of similar statehouse art installations often argue that private fundraising for public buildings creates unequal representation of historical figures. However, proponents maintain that such projects are essential to honoring service members when they avoid the use of taxpayer dollars.
This project will result in a new permanent installation within the Kansas Statehouse for public viewing. Residents will not see any impact on their state taxes, as the project is funded entirely through private contributions.
The takeaway
The project demonstrates a successful model for commemorating historical figures through private philanthropy rather than public funding. Residents can look forward to the completion of this veteran-focused installation at the statehouse by late 2027.
Further reading
For more information on state-level projects, see Legislative Policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Topeka Capital-Journal.
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