&nbsp;As grasses within a pasture mature, various physical changes occur, which impact the cattle grazing them. For instance, older plants dry out and lose nutritional value, but also develop coarse stems – making cattle more susceptible to injuries involving their face and eyes.

<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">On a recent episode of the Cattle Chat podcast</a>, Kansas State University veterinarians recommend producers watch for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue as their pastures start getting “stemmy.”

“Green, growing grass isn’t likely to cause these problems,” said K-State veterinarian Bob

Larson. “Lumpy jaw and wooden tongue happen when the tissues of the mouth are damaged on rough textured forages.”

In the case of wooden tongue, damaging incidents to the mouth allow for germs that live within the animal to cause an infection.

“It’s not really something that cattle get from other cattle. It’s caused by bacteria that are normally in the mouth and throat area,” Larson said.

K-State veterinarian Brad White adds: “Coarse feeds and grasses can damage the mucous membranes and cause lesions.”

Cattle with wooden tongue display obvious physical symptoms, according to Larson and White.

“Their tongue gets large and tends to hang out of their mouth, making eating difficult. They look like they are panting or drooling,” Larson said.

“It gets stiff, swollen and painful,” White said. “You do not very often see an animal – a cow especially – sticking their tongue out of their mouth; they’re not doing it to play. They are doing it because their tongue won't go back in.”

Like wooden tongue, cattle contract lumpy jaw through the bacteria that inhabit their mouths.

“After an injury, (bacteria) gets into some of the other tissues of the mouth,” Larson said. “What's dangerous about that one is it can invade bone. If that happens, it becomes difficult to cure.”

Larson said when producers discover lumpy jaw and wooden tongue in their earlier stages, cattle have a better chance of recovering.

“A lot of times these cases will be treated intravenously,” he said. “This is pretty effective at bringing those two syndromes back to normal but contact your local veterinarian before making any treatment decisions.”

When examining an animal’s mouth and face for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue, Larson suggests that producers monitor the eyes as well for squamous cell carcinoma, or cancer eye.

If this affliction goes untreated, cattle may face the same fate as their lumpy jaw and wooden tongue-infected counterparts.

“Cattle can get a cancer of the eye – often in their third eyelid. If you treat it early with surgical removal of that area, those animals respond well and can go ahead and have multiple years of productive life after that,” Larson said.

However, “If that cancer spreads and it involves the bones of the head, that is not going to get better, and it is time to think about euthanasia just from an animal welfare standpoint.”

To hear the full discussion,&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">listen to Cattle Chat&nbsp;</a>on your preferred streaming platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1722362402192.jpeg" alt="Wooden tongue and lumpy jaw – diseases that affect older cattle – become more prevalent as grasses and forage mature. K-State veterinarians share their causes, and treatments and discuss another facial disease: cancer eye." />
 <figcaption>Wooden tongue and lumpy jaw – diseases that affect older cattle – become more prevalent as grasses and forage mature. K-State veterinarians share their causes, and treatments and discuss another facial disease: cancer eye.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JACOB KLAUDT KSRE&nbsp;As grasses within a pasture mature, various physical changes occur, which impact the cattle grazing them. For instance, older plants dry out and lose nutritional value, but also develop coarse stems – making cattle more susceptible to injuries involving their face and eyes.<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">On a recent episode of the Cattle Chat podcast</a>, Kansas State University veterinarians recommend producers watch for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue as their pastures start getting “stemmy.”“Green, growing grass isn’t likely to cause these problems,” said K-State veterinarian BobLarson. “Lumpy jaw and wooden tongue happen when the tissues of the mouth are damaged on rough textured forages.”In the case of wooden tongue, damaging incidents to the mouth allow for germs that live within the animal to cause an infection.“It’s not really something that cattle get from other cattle. It’s caused by bacteria that are normally in the mouth and throat area,” Larson said.K-State veterinarian Brad White adds: “Coarse feeds and grasses can damage the mucous membranes and cause lesions.”Cattle with wooden tongue display obvious physical symptoms, according to Larson and White.“Their tongue gets large and tends to hang out of their mouth, making eating difficult. They look like they are panting or drooling,” Larson said.“It gets stiff, swollen and painful,” White said. “You do not very often see an animal – a cow especially – sticking their tongue out of their mouth; they’re not doing it to play. They are doing it because their tongue won't go back in.”Like wooden tongue, cattle contract lumpy jaw through the bacteria that inhabit their mouths.“After an injury, (bacteria) gets into some of the other tissues of the mouth,” Larson said. “What's dangerous about that one is it can invade bone. If that happens, it becomes difficult to cure.”Larson said when producers discover lumpy jaw and wooden tongue in their earlier stages, cattle have a better chance of recovering.“A lot of times these cases will be treated intravenously,” he said. “This is pretty effective at bringing those two syndromes back to normal but contact your local veterinarian before making any treatment decisions.”When examining an animal’s mouth and face for lumpy jaw and wooden tongue, Larson suggests that producers monitor the eyes as well for squamous cell carcinoma, or cancer eye.If this affliction goes untreated, cattle may face the same fate as their lumpy jaw and wooden tongue-infected counterparts.“Cattle can get a cancer of the eye – often in their third eyelid. If you treat it early with surgical removal of that area, those animals respond well and can go ahead and have multiple years of productive life after that,” Larson said.However, “If that cancer spreads and it involves the bones of the head, that is not going to get better, and it is time to think about euthanasia just from an animal welfare standpoint.”To hear the full discussion,&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2024/07/26/heat-feeding-risk-management-facial-diseases-cull-criteria/" target="_blank">listen to Cattle Chat&nbsp;</a>on your preferred streaming platform.

KSRE Cattle Chat: Cattle Chat: Look out for lumpy jaw and other facial diseases

<a href="mailto:melgares@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By PAT MELGARES </a>K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;&nbsp;

There is a common joke in Kansas – and many parts of the country – that goes something like this: If you don’t like the weather right now, just wait a few minutes.

Kansas State University meteorologist Chip Redmond agrees that weather in Kansas can change pretty quickly, so it’s important to know what to do in any situation in order to remain safe.

“It starts with preparedness,” said Redmond, who is also manager of the Kansas Mesonet. “We all should have a plan, including such things as just knowing how you get your weather alerts. You may get those from a weather radio or other sources, such as news media. And then, you need to talk with your family.”

“Practicing and having a plan saves lives,” Redmond said. “That is especially true in rural areas where appropriate shelter may be many miles away, a scenario many Kansans may be in.”

Redmond said having a “Go” bag -- something you can quickly grab and take to a shelter -- is important for most weather emergencies. The bag should include such items as medicines, extra clothes, radio, food, water and even something to keep kids entertained.

The best place to wait out severe weather “is always the lowest, central location in the home,” Redmond said. “If you only have a first floor – and not a basement – the ideal spot is a centrally located hallway or bathroom. Stay away from windows.”

If caught outside, “don’t go under trees during thunderstorms and don’t try to out-run tornadoes in your car,” Redmond said.

“A ditch, believe it or not, is a really safe place to go if you’re outside. Get down in the ditch; debris will typically blow over you. If you’re in a place without a ditch, get down on the ground as low as you can so you don’t have things hitting you. Just be aware if water is rising rapidly.”

For specific weather emergencies, Redmond shared additional tips:

● Get inside ● Avoid porches and overhangs.

“You can still get hit by lightning in those areas,” Redmond said.&nbsp; 

● Stay away from windows ● Stay off electronics that are hooked into a wall, including computer and cell phone ● Stay out of the shower, or other water sources.

“You don’t want to be operating anything that can carry electricity, whether it’s water or wire,” Redmond said. “If there’s a lightning strike away from your house, it’s going to travel through that highly conductive source.”

On average, Kansas has 95 tornadoes per year. There has been as few as 17 tornadoes reported in 2020 and 190 in 2008.

“This is tornado alley for a reason,” Redmond said. “We need to be prepared and be knowledgeable about what to do when a tornado warning is issued.”

The peak time for tornadoes in Kansas is April through June, often referred to as tornado season. But Redmond said tornadoes can occur any time of year and are solely dependent on atmospheric conditions – spring provides a classic clash of southern winds with Gulf moisture meeting north winds with colder, drier air from the Arctic areas. That is a recipe for strong storm systems supportive of highly sheared and unstable environments ideal for tornado development.

A basement or lower level of the house – away from windows -- is always the safest spot to wait out a tornado warning.

Redmond said Kansas gets approximately 600 wind damage reports annually. High winds – defined as those over 55 miles per hour – create problems not only by downing trees, but by making driving conditions and visibility more difficult.

As with tornadoes, the safest place during a wind storm is inside in a central location, away from windows.

In an average year, there are more than 1,000 reports of hail in Kansas. Severe hail is defined as 1 inch or more in diameter. “That seems fairly small until they’re coming at you at a high rate of speed from the sky,” Redmond said.

One inch hail can cause injury, damage to cars and even damage house siding and roofs.

“And it can threaten your life,” Redmond said. “If you get hit with multiple hail stones at 1 inch diameter, you’re going to know it. And if you get hit in the wrong place, it can kill you.”

It’s much easier to prepare for flooding while at home, Redmond said. “All you really need to know is your proximity to a flood plain,” he said. “To determine your risk, know the low-lying areas and where water runs.”

Away from home – and especially when driving – the risks due to flooding are much greater. On the road, the best advice is “turn around, don’t drown,” according to Redmond.

“When you see water over the road, and it may look crossable, water can move at high rates of speed,” he said. “Six inches of water can move a car effectively.”

In addition, the road under the water may not be intact and could damage or disable your vehicle, he said.

More information about staying safe during many weather emergencies is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">National Weather Service</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708958843251.jpeg" alt="lightning KSRE" />
 <figcaption>lightning KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="mailto:melgares@ksu.edu" target="_blank">By PAT MELGARES </a>K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a common joke in Kansas – and many parts of the country – that goes something like this: If you don’t like the weather right now, just wait a few minutes.Kansas State University meteorologist Chip Redmond agrees that weather in Kansas can change pretty quickly, so it’s important to know what to do in any situation in order to remain safe.“It starts with preparedness,” said Redmond, who is also manager of the Kansas Mesonet. “We all should have a plan, including such things as just knowing how you get your weather alerts. You may get those from a weather radio or other sources, such as news media. And then, you need to talk with your family.”<div><iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/30080013/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/512888/" height="90" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Practicing and having a plan saves lives,” Redmond said. “That is especially true in rural areas where appropriate shelter may be many miles away, a scenario many Kansans may be in.”Redmond said having a “Go” bag -- something you can quickly grab and take to a shelter -- is important for most weather emergencies. The bag should include such items as medicines, extra clothes, radio, food, water and even something to keep kids entertained.The best place to wait out severe weather “is always the lowest, central location in the home,” Redmond said. “If you only have a first floor – and not a basement – the ideal spot is a centrally located hallway or bathroom. Stay away from windows.”If caught outside, “don’t go under trees during thunderstorms and don’t try to out-run tornadoes in your car,” Redmond said.“A ditch, believe it or not, is a really safe place to go if you’re outside. Get down in the ditch; debris will typically blow over you. If you’re in a place without a ditch, get down on the ground as low as you can so you don’t have things hitting you. Just be aware if water is rising rapidly.”For specific weather emergencies, Redmond shared additional tips:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708958843251.jpeg" alt="lightning KSRE" />
 <figcaption>lightning KSRE</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lightning</h2>● Get inside ● Avoid porches and overhangs. “You can still get hit by lightning in those areas,” Redmond said.&nbsp; ● Stay away from windows ● Stay off electronics that are hooked into a wall, including computer and cell phone ● Stay out of the shower, or other water sources.“You don’t want to be operating anything that can carry electricity, whether it’s water or wire,” Redmond said. “If there’s a lightning strike away from your house, it’s going to travel through that highly conductive source.”<h2>Tornado</h2>On average, Kansas has 95 tornadoes per year. There has been as few as 17 tornadoes reported in 2020 and 190 in 2008.“This is tornado alley for a reason,” Redmond said. “We need to be prepared and be knowledgeable about what to do when a tornado warning is issued.”The peak time for tornadoes in Kansas is April through June, often referred to as tornado season. But Redmond said tornadoes can occur any time of year and are solely dependent on atmospheric conditions – spring provides a classic clash of southern winds with Gulf moisture meeting north winds with colder, drier air from the Arctic areas. That is a recipe for strong storm systems supportive of highly sheared and unstable environments ideal for tornado development.A basement or lower level of the house – away from windows -- is always the safest spot to wait out a tornado warning.<h2>High winds</h2>Redmond said Kansas gets approximately 600 wind damage reports annually. High winds – defined as those over 55 miles per hour – create problems not only by downing trees, but by making driving conditions and visibility more difficult.As with tornadoes, the safest place during a wind storm is inside in a central location, away from windows.<h2>Hail</h2>In an average year, there are more than 1,000 reports of hail in Kansas. Severe hail is defined as 1 inch or more in diameter. “That seems fairly small until they’re coming at you at a high rate of speed from the sky,” Redmond said.One inch hail can cause injury, damage to cars and even damage house siding and roofs.“And it can threaten your life,” Redmond said. “If you get hit with multiple hail stones at 1 inch diameter, you’re going to know it. And if you get hit in the wrong place, it can kill you.”<h2>Flooding</h2>It’s much easier to prepare for flooding while at home, Redmond said. “All you really need to know is your proximity to a flood plain,” he said. “To determine your risk, know the low-lying areas and where water runs.”Away from home – and especially when driving – the risks due to flooding are much greater. On the road, the best advice is “turn around, don’t drown,” according to Redmond.“When you see water over the road, and it may look crossable, water can move at high rates of speed,” he said. “Six inches of water can move a car effectively.”In addition, the road under the water may not be intact and could damage or disable your vehicle, he said.More information about staying safe during many weather emergencies is available online from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weather.gov/">National Weather Service</a>.

Severe weather looms; make plans now to stay safe, says K-State climatologist

K-State cattle nutritionist explains how corn stalk bales can be a feed resource

When eating a salad, imagine how it might taste if all there was to eat were the stems of the plant. Not very appealing, right?&nbsp;

Similarly, cattle that are offered corn stalk bales to eat in place of hay also often find that to be less palatable, said Phillip Lancaster, beef cattle nutritionist for the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.

Speaking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/11/10/sandhills-calving-corn-stalk-bales-mandatory-price-reporting/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, Lancaster said there is an increase of corn stalks being baled as a feed resource this year because of the shortage of hay and the decrease in pastures available for fall grazing due to a lack of moisture.

“Traditionally, grazing cattle in the late fall on harvested corn fields can be an option to extend the grazing season because cattle can eat the husks and leaves, which have a decent nutritional value,” Lancaster said. “However, this year farmers are baling up the corn stalks after they’ve harvested the crop, which leaves only the stalks that are lignified and indigestible.”

He said that when cattle are offered a corn stalk bale, they will consume the resource at a higher proportion of stalks than they would if they were just grazing the field.

“Producers feeding those bales will have quite a bit of wastage unless they grind them and add them to a mixed ration,” Lancaster said.

For producers who need to use this as a feed resource, Lancaster said they need to supplement the cattle with protein.

He added: “For cows going into their third trimester this winter, their maintenance requirements are higher so along with protein they will also need to be supplemented with energy as well.”

Additionally, there is a potential health concern with bales that were made from a failed corn crop when fed to the cattle, Lancaster said.

“If nitrogen fertilizer was put on the crop in the spring and then it failed, the plant may still be holding that nitrogen,” Lancaster said.

In that case, producers will need to test the bales for nitrates, according to Lancaster.

To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/11/10/sandhills-calving-corn-stalk-bales-mandatory-price-reporting/">Cattle Chat</a>podcast online or through your preferred streaming platform.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700054298806.jpeg" alt="Corn stalk bales can be used for bedding or as a feed resource with supplementation." />
 <figcaption>Corn stalk bales can be used for bedding or as a feed resource with supplementation.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>K-State cattle nutritionist explains how corn stalk bales can be a feed resource</h2>By LISA MOSER KSREWhen eating a salad, imagine how it might taste if all there was to eat were the stems of the plant. Not very appealing, right?&nbsp;Similarly, cattle that are offered corn stalk bales to eat in place of hay also often find that to be less palatable, said Phillip Lancaster, beef cattle nutritionist for the Kansas State University Beef Cattle Institute.Speaking on a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/11/10/sandhills-calving-corn-stalk-bales-mandatory-price-reporting/">Cattle Chat</a>&nbsp;podcast, Lancaster said there is an increase of corn stalks being baled as a feed resource this year because of the shortage of hay and the decrease in pastures available for fall grazing due to a lack of moisture.“Traditionally, grazing cattle in the late fall on harvested corn fields can be an option to extend the grazing season because cattle can eat the husks and leaves, which have a decent nutritional value,” Lancaster said. “However, this year farmers are baling up the corn stalks after they’ve harvested the crop, which leaves only the stalks that are lignified and indigestible.”He said that when cattle are offered a corn stalk bale, they will consume the resource at a higher proportion of stalks than they would if they were just grazing the field.“Producers feeding those bales will have quite a bit of wastage unless they grind them and add them to a mixed ration,” Lancaster said.For producers who need to use this as a feed resource, Lancaster said they need to supplement the cattle with protein.He added: “For cows going into their third trimester this winter, their maintenance requirements are higher so along with protein they will also need to be supplemented with energy as well.”Additionally, there is a potential health concern with bales that were made from a failed corn crop when fed to the cattle, Lancaster said.“If nitrogen fertilizer was put on the crop in the spring and then it failed, the plant may still be holding that nitrogen,” Lancaster said.In that case, producers will need to test the bales for nitrates, according to Lancaster.To hear the full discussion, listen to the&nbsp;<a href="https://ksubci.org/2023/11/10/sandhills-calving-corn-stalk-bales-mandatory-price-reporting/">Cattle Chat</a>podcast online or through your preferred streaming platform.

Cattle Chat: Feeding corn stalk bales

By NATE KING&nbsp; Salina Post

The month of May, what does it make you think about? Summer vacation, community BBQs, road trips to see relatives, going to baseball/softball tournaments, finally packing away your winter coat, or if you are like me celebrating your birthday.

There is however one important day which honors and remembers those men and women who gave their lives in order for us to live in a free country- I'm talking about Memorial Day.&nbsp;

This year, on May 29, the Salina American Legion Post 92 in partnership with the City of Salina, will honor a unique set of veterans, MIA-POWs.&nbsp;

The POW/MIA recognition project was spearheaded by Jason McIntire, commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 62 and fellow squadron members Kirk Cibolsk (vice commander) and Adam Hummel (treasure). McIntire came up with the idea last year after wondering how many Salina/Saline County residents became POW/MIAs in the wars, according to Sons of the American Legion Squadron 62.

The 11 POWs from Saline County will be honored with inscribed paving bricks at the site south of the war memorial in Sunset Park. See below for a list of POWs from Saline County.&nbsp;

● Donald A. Achenbach, WWII/AF BS452 BG

● Robert H. Maxey, Korea, Vietnam/Army Co G 32 Regt 7 Div

● Charlie A. Stanley, WWII/Army AF B24 Bomber Pilot

● Ernest V. Swanson, WWII/Army AF ETO 44BG

Additionally, Dennis Pugh, Vietnam, 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th U.S. Air Force, is the only service member from Saline County who remains missing in action. He will be honored with a monument to the south of the war memorial, according to information in the news release.

"I am incredibly moved and honored that Jason and his group did this," Dale Pugh, brother of Major Pugh said. "Not at my suggestion or direction, we have bought some memorials to my brother all around Kansas and all around the country, in fact, but they've been put there because my family wanted them there. Now here's an opportunity for Salina and Saline County to honor one of their own because at least Jason McIntire and the sons of the American Legion believe it was the right thing to do. And so we hope that anyone that goes out to the memorial in the future will actually think about what all those names represent. And the fact that there's kind of a unique recognition of Dennis, because he is in kind of an interesting category being missing an action, it means that you just never found out you don't know."

McIntire and committee members had fundraisers to benefit the project, which will cost more than $10,000.

"To myself, it is very important to not only learn history but also to remember those who have fought and died to give people the freedom we have today. The POW/MIA monument we are building, thanks those veterans from Salina/Saline county and to make sure they are never forgotten," McIntire said.

Also in attendance for the Memorial Day ceremony will be Ann Mills-Griffiths, chairman of the board of directors of the National League of POW/MIA Families. She will offer her presentation at 6 p.m. May 28 at the American/Legion Post 62/VFW Post 1432.

Commander James B. Mills, USNR, Mills-Griffiths’ brother, was listed as MIA on Sept. 21, 1966, when the Navy F4B on which he served as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) disappeared on a night, low-flying bombing mission over North Vietnam.  He was on his second tour, assigned to Fighter Squadron 21, USS Coral Sea.

According to information from Veterans Affairs, 140,000 American service members were captured and served time as POWs, and more than 81,500 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the more than 81,500 missing, 75 percent of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific, and more than 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (i.e. ship losses, known aircraft water losses, etc.).

<div><iframe title="Dale Pugh, Brother of POW MIA Maj. Dennis Pugh" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=bzzdg-140148e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b"></iframe></div>By NATE KING&nbsp; Salina PostThe month of May, what does it make you think about? Summer vacation, community BBQs, road trips to see relatives, going to baseball/softball tournaments, finally packing away your winter coat, or if you are like me celebrating your birthday.There is however one important day which honors and remembers those men and women who gave their lives in order for us to live in a free country- I'm talking about Memorial Day.&nbsp;This year, on May 29, the Salina American Legion Post 92 in partnership with the City of Salina, will honor a unique set of veterans, MIA-POWs.&nbsp;The POW/MIA recognition project was spearheaded by Jason McIntire, commander of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 62 and fellow squadron members Kirk Cibolsk (vice commander) and Adam Hummel (treasure). McIntire came up with the idea last year after wondering how many Salina/Saline County residents became POW/MIAs in the wars, according to Sons of the American Legion Squadron 62.The 11 POWs from Saline County will be honored with inscribed paving bricks at the site south of the war memorial in Sunset Park. See below for a list of POWs from Saline County.&nbsp;● Lewis J. Wehr, WWII/Army 31INF● Donald A. Achenbach, WWII/AF BS452 BG● James Cole, WWII/Air Force● Harold Fulton, WWII/Army AF 15AF● Wilbur D. Gott, WWII/Army 28INF● Robert H. Maxey, Korea, Vietnam/Army Co G 32 Regt 7 Div● Thomas A. McGinness, WWII/Army● Vernon K. Rawlings, WWII/8AF 92BG● Kenneth Schoshke, WWII/Army 34INF● Charlie A. Stanley, WWII/Army AF B24 Bomber Pilot● Ernest V. Swanson, WWII/Army AF ETO 44BG<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681691275351.jpeg" alt="Major Dennis Pugh the day before his aircraft was shot down on March 19, 1970.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Major Dennis Pugh the day before his aircraft was shot down on March 19, 1970.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Additionally, Dennis Pugh, Vietnam, 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 7th U.S. Air Force, is the only service member from Saline County who remains missing in action. He will be honored with a monument to the south of the war memorial, according to information in the news release."I am incredibly moved and honored that Jason and his group did this," Dale Pugh, brother of Major Pugh said. "Not at my suggestion or direction, we have bought some memorials to my brother all around Kansas and all around the country, in fact, but they've been put there because my family wanted them there. Now here's an opportunity for Salina and Saline County to honor one of their own because at least Jason McIntire and the sons of the American Legion believe it was the right thing to do. And so we hope that anyone that goes out to the memorial in the future will actually think about what all those names represent. And the fact that there's kind of a unique recognition of Dennis, because he is in kind of an interesting category being missing an action, it means that you just never found out you don't know."McIntire and committee members had fundraisers to benefit the project, which will cost more than $10,000."To myself, it is very important to not only learn history but also to remember those who have fought and died to give people the freedom we have today. The POW/MIA monument we are building, thanks those veterans from Salina/Saline county and to make sure they are never forgotten," McIntire said.Also in attendance for the Memorial Day ceremony will be Ann Mills-Griffiths, chairman of the board of directors of the National League of POW/MIA Families. She will offer her presentation at 6 p.m. May 28 at the American/Legion Post 62/VFW Post 1432.Commander James B. Mills, USNR, Mills-Griffiths’ brother, was listed as MIA on Sept. 21, 1966, when the Navy F4B on which he served as Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) disappeared on a night, low-flying bombing mission over North Vietnam. He was on his second tour, assigned to Fighter Squadron 21, USS Coral Sea.According to information from Veterans Affairs, 140,000 American service members were captured and served time as POWs, and more than 81,500 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the more than 81,500 missing, 75 percent of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific, and more than 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (i.e. ship losses, known aircraft water losses, etc.).

Podcast