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| Salute veterans with a tour of Fort Leavenworth, Kan. | ||||||
| Each November when Americans pause on Veteran’s Day to salute the soldiers who have risked their lives fighting for freedom, it’s a good time to honor those who continue to protect our nation with a visit to an active military base. One of those bases, Fort Leavenworth, has devoted more than 170 years of service to the nation. Located in eastern Kansas in a town by the same name, Fort Leavenworth is the oldest active Army post west of the Mississippi River, and it welcomes visitors to explore the storied history of the U.S. Army and the important role the fort has played. The post was established by Col. Henry Leavenworth in 1827 to protect the fur trade, safeguard commerce on the Santa Fe Trail and maintain peace in the region. With the end of the Indian Wars, the fort transformed itself into an integral part of the Army’s new officer education system. Visitors are able to drive through the fort to see dozens of buildings where soldiers train. In addition, there are a variety of other sights, including the Frontier Army Museum, which chronicles the history of the Army on the frontier through artifacts and exhibits. Self-guided tours also pass several historic buildings, including the Rookery, which is the oldest continuously occupied house in Kansas. Guests also can see a National Cemetery, an indentation in a hill created by wagons heading for the Oregon and Santa Fe trails and the Buffalo Soldier Monument dedicated to African-American soldiers who served on the frontier. Visitors must have a photo ID to enter the fort, and all vehicles are subject to search. For more details about the fort, call (913) 684-3767. |
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