JROTC Cadets Honor Veterans at Koch Arena

About 400 Wichita JROTC cadets gathered for a Veterans Day Salute honoring those who have served the country.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military

Folded American flags stand on a polished wooden arena floor under overhead lights, with empty tiered seating behind, evoking a Veterans Day tribute in Wichita. — About 400 Wichita JROTC cadets gathered at Koch Arena on Friday for a Veterans Day Salute honoring those who served, including 105-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Mel Winters. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

About 400 student cadets from Wichita middle and high schools attended the Wichita Public Schools JROTC Veterans Day Salute at Koch Arena at 10 a.m. Friday. The event honored veterans, including 105-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor Mel Winters.

Why it matters

The salute recognizes veterans in Wichita while giving young students a direct connection to military service and its history. Events like this bring Wichita's JROTC programs and the local community together around Veterans Day.

The event drew about 400 student cadets to Koch Arena at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026. Among those honored was Mel Winters, 105, a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The players

Mel Winters

A 105-year-old survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor who was among the veterans honored at the salute.

Lily Wu

The mayor of Wichita, who spoke at the Veterans Day Salute.

The details

Cadets marched at the event, and music was provided by Southeast High School's choir and orchestra. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu spoke to the gathered students and veterans.

Friday, November 6, 2026, 10 a.m.: Veterans Day Salute begins at Koch Arena.

Military Context

School-based JROTC programs like Wichita's have long participated in annual Veterans Day observances, the same tradition the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supports nationally. The salute continues that pattern by pairing student cadets with living World War II-era veterans.

Residents who want to support local JROTC programs or attend future Wichita veterans events can contact Wichita Public Schools directly. Showing up at these public ceremonies is a simple way to thank those who served.

The takeaway

Honoring living veterans while young people learn about service is a durable way Wichita keeps Veterans Day meaningful. The salute shows how local schools can carry that tradition forward.