JESSE SOLIS went to Topeka last week to deliver a gift to the state. The Kansas Legislature responded in kind.
Solis, long active in community matters in Emporia, has also been instrumental in expanding the city’s commitment to
honor the nation’s military veterans. He is a member of Emporia’s All Veterans Tribute Committee. The Topeka visit was part of that continuing effort.
His gift to the state, for permanent display in the Statehouse, was a bronze plaque of the American flag with the Pledge of Allegiance imprinted in Braille — a flag for the blind, in honor of the nation’s more than 1 million blind and visually impaired veterans.
The Braille flag was designed by Randolph Cabral, founder of the Kansas Braille Transcription Institute and son of a now-blind veteran of World War II. He wanted to make a flag for his father, but he wound up making one for all veterans who can no longer see the flag they served.
There is now a Braille flag at Arlington National Cemetery. Thanks to the efforts of Jesse Solis, there is one in the Lyon County Courthouse and — again thanks to Solis — one in the Statehouse.
Solis was not working alone. He was accompanied to the Statehouse by Cabral and by a group of supporters — Penny Oliver, Patrick Hayes, John Clark, James Redick, Marshall Havenhill, City Manager Matt Zimmerman, Sheriff Gary Eichorn, City Commissioner Bob Agler and Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce president Jeanine McKenna. All were with him as he was introduced in the Kansas House by Rep. Don Hill and in the Kansas Senate by Sen. Jim Barnett, where he presented the flag to Steve Morris, Senate president.
With Solis, they and the whole city of Emporia were honored by a resolution presented in the House by Rep. Peggy Mast, which said in part:
“Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Kansas: That we recognize and thank Jesse Solis and the city of Emporia for dedicating an American Braille tactile flag for display in the capitol building so that all visually impaired Kansans can fully appreciate Old Glory and be reminded of all that she means to us.”
It’s always satisfying when good deeds bring deserved honors, and Solis deserves the thanks of the state and his city.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor
Donors for the Braille flag project included these Emporians: Ed and Marilyn Owens, Art and Sherry Corpening, Dave and Judy Welch, Marshall and Ann Havenhill, Sue Blechl, Sharon Vernon, Moon Abstract Co. and Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow.