FOR RELEASE: May 23, 2000
WICHITA MAYOR NAMED HONORARY "BRAT"
Military Brats recognize support for "Home"
Mayor Bob Knight, who currently serves as President of the League of Cities, is
no stranger to titles and recognition honoring his local and National
achievements. On May 28, he will receive a new and somewhat more unusual
title, that of "Honorary Military Brat".
The Mayor, along with 6th District City Councilwoman Joan Cole, City Manager Chris Cherches, and Special Projects Director Jeanne Goodvin are being recognized by the
Military Brats Alliance for their
determined effort to establish Wichita as the "home town" for millions of current and former
dependent children of military families.
Most of these military brats grew up in a highly mobile lifestyle, and usually cannot point to a place that they call "Home." The City of Wichita has provided 5 acres of land on the Museums on the River District
as a site for the American Overseas
Schools Archives and Historical Park, a place where memorabilia and school records
from these children's lives will be displayed.
On May 28, 2000 the Alliance will gather at the Historic Wellington Place in
Wichita from 2:00pm until 6:00pm to publicly honor the Mayor with a set of
military-style dog tags proclaiming "Brat" status. On display will be the mobile Brat Monument known as "Operation Footlocker" along with
live demonstrations of Internet resources from among the Military Brat
community. In addition, there will be a
preview of the soon-to-be-released television documentary, "Brats: Growing Up Military" produced by Donna Musil and Beth Goodwin. The Wichita High Schools JROTC Honor Guard will present the colors during the event, which is open to the public. The
Military Brats Alliance is a volunteer group of related organizations that
promote the understanding and appreciation of the uncommon heritage shared by
military families.