By james art 
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The Kansas National Guard inducted three new members into its Hall of Fame on November 3rd.
“The criteria is based on the contributions they make while in uniform and serving their county, as well as the contributions they make in their community,” said Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame Board Chairman Jacob King.
Col. Clifford Silsbee, Col. Edward Sykes and First Sergeant Darrell Hefele will join more than 130 Kansans at the National Guard Hall of Fame in Topeka.
The ceremony highlighted the military career achievements of each honoree and gave them the podium to thank everyone who made this possible.
“It’s less about me, it’s about everyone that I’ve worked with that has supported me over the years and they really deserve recognition because without them I could never have done anything that I’ve done,” Silsby said. “Well, maybe just a little.”
“I think everybody deserves recognition that serves, I’m just fortunate enough to be in a situation,” Sykes said. “Sometimes I wasn’t lucky enough to get booed it was a bit unfortunate, but I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and have the right people help me get to where I was.”
They strive to share their heritage by passing it on to the next generation.
“I had a great-grandson sitting next to me in the front, he joined the international guard today,” Hefele said.
“The military is the best place to start,” Sykes said. “You have the opportunity to serve your county and sometimes it can get a little rough, but trust me, that’s part of being an American.”
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