Salute To Service Initiative
Presented by Scott Van Genderen, Edward Jones.

Thunder Over the Heartland presented by CoreFirst Bank & Trust is thrilled to introduce our Salute To Service initiative, presented by Scott Van Genderen, Edward Jones.

This special effort is all about recognizing and honoring the service of veterans in our community. Each day of the air show during the opening ceremonies, we’ll take a moment to salute some of the brave men and women who have served our country. It’s our way of saying thank you for their sacrifices and dedication.

We need your help to make this initiative a success. If you know a veteran who deserves to be recognized for their service, we want to hear their story. Whether you’re a family member, friend, or someone whose service has inspired you, now is the time to shine a spotlight on them. The chosen veteran will be recognized live by our announcers and will enjoy upgraded hospitality as part of our veteran’s chalet during the show. It’s a small gesture to show our immense gratitude for their service.

To nominate a deserving veteran, simply fill out the nomination form below. Tell us about their service and why you think they should be honored. This is your chance to give back to those who have given so much to us. Please join us with this Salute to Service initiative to celebrate our heroes, and give them the recognition they truly deserve.

Frequent Questions

Who can be nominated?

Military service members past and present are eligible to be nominated. Please understand we cannot feasibly accommodate all nominations for this program for in-person recognition, and only a select handful will ultimately be chosen for participation for the live event. We appreciate your understanding.

Must they be from Topeka?

Not necessarily! We aim to recognize those from around the Topeka region, including northeast Kansas, western Missouri, and the communities of Lawrence, Manhattan, Kansas City, and beyond.

How can I nominate a Veteran?

To nominate a veteran for Salute To Service, please fill out our Nomination Form (see button below). Chosen veterans will be contacted directly by our air show staff, with those nominating them being contacted first. For more information or inquiries, please contact us at info@thunderovertheheartland.com