22 Hour Vigil - 22 Nov 2026 - Lyons, KS
Kansas American Legion Family to Stand Watch in Honor of Veterans and Promote “Be the One”
On November 22 and 23, members of the American Legion Family across Kansas will come together for a solemn 22-hour vigil designed to bring attention to one of the most serious challenges facing America’s veteran community — suicide.
The 22-Hour Vigil will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2026, and continue until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, November 23.
During the vigil, members of the Kansas American Legion Family will stand watch in 22-minute increments over a flag-draped casket, symbolizing the veterans who are lost to suicide and the need for their fellow veterans, families and communities to stand watch over one another.
The number 22 is significant. For years, estimates of veteran suicide have commonly been represented by the figure of 22 deaths a day, although current estimates vary. The American Legion emphasizes that regardless of the exact number, one veteran lost to suicide is one too many.
The vigil is more than a remembrance. It is a call to action.
The event is being held to promote The American Legion’s “Be the One” initiative, a national effort to reduce veteran and servicemember suicide by encouraging people to recognize when someone may be struggling, reach out, listen and help connect them with support.
“Be the One” reminds us that saving a life does not always require special training or knowing exactly what to say. Sometimes it begins with simply asking a veteran, “Are you OK?”
The American Legion encourages its members and the public to Be the One to act, to call, to listen and to reach out when a veteran is struggling. The initiative is built around ending the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and empowering Legion Family members, veterans, military families and members of the community to take action.
A Family Standing Together
The 22-Hour Vigil is intended to involve the entire American Legion Family of Kansas — The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion, The American Legion Riders, First Responders as well as members of the community.
Members will take their places beside the casket in 22-minute shifts, ensuring that the vigil continues without interruption for the full 22 hours.
Each person who stands watch will represent more than a number.
They will represent a veteran who served.
A family who misses someone.
A friend who wishes they had known what to say.
And the countless veterans who are struggling today and need someone to notice, listen and care.
The quiet hours of the vigil are particularly significant. While much of the community sleeps, members of the Legion Family will remain standing watch — a visible reminder that the responsibility to look after our veterans does not end when the uniform comes off.
Bringing the Conversation Into the Light
Veteran suicide can be difficult to talk about. The Be the One initiative seeks to change that by encouraging open conversations and helping people recognize warning signs and respond appropriately.
The American Legion encourages its members to ask veterans how they are doing, listen when someone needs to talk and reach out when a veteran is struggling. It also provides suicide-prevention training to help Legion Family members become better prepared to respond when someone may be at risk.
The Kansas 22-Hour Vigil is intended to turn those words into action.
Those attending the vigil are encouraged not only to stand watch, but also to learn about Be the One, suicide-prevention resources and ways they can help veterans in their own communities.
The message is simple:
Ask. Listen. Act. Be the One.
More Than 22 Minutes
Each 22-minute shift during the vigil will carry a special meaning.
For those 22 minutes, the person standing watch will be asked to think about the significance of the mission. The goal is not simply to mark time, but to remember why the vigil is taking place.
When one person’s 22-minute shift ends, another person will step forward.
And then another.
And another.
For 22 hours, the Kansas American Legion Family will demonstrate what it means to stand together for those who have served our nation.
The vigil also serves as a reminder that veterans should never have to face their struggles alone.
A conversation can make a difference.
A phone call can make a difference.
A friend who refuses to give up can make a difference.
One person can make a difference.
Be the One.
The American Legion’s Be the One initiative is a national mission to reduce the number of veterans and servicemembers lost to suicide. The organization encourages everyone — veterans, family members, friends, caregivers and community members — to become part of the effort.
The Kansas 22-Hour Vigil will give the American Legion Family an opportunity to remember those who have been lost, honor those who served and, most importantly, reach out to those who are still here.
Because the ultimate goal is not simply to remember the 22.
The goal is to save the next one.
Vigil 22 will be held at 101 West Commercial Street, Lyons Kansas at the Rice County Courthouse. November 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
For more information contact: Terry Harris @ 620-910-7998 or Angela Evans @ 719-659-0837
100% Squadrons
As of April 10, 2026, the Detachment now has 38 Squadrons with 100% or higher membership!
Congratulations to these Squadrons for honoring their heritage and reaching (or exceeding) their membership goals!
Goose Egg Squadrons
As of April 10, 2026, the Detachment still has 2 “Goose egg” Squadrons with no memberships sent.
If your Squadron is on this list as of 12/31/2025, you are at risk of no longer being a member of the Sons and losing your continuous membership streak. Your membership is also considered delinquent. Your Squadron is also at risk of losing its charter.
The renewal period for 2026 commenced on July 1, 2025.
We kindly ask that you pay your dues promptly and honor the family member who qualified you for membership in the Sons of the American Legion.
NOTE: If you have paid your dues more than two weeks ago, please contact your Squadron Adjutant and hold them accountable for getting dues payments processed.
Get One For The Legion!
What is it?
This program, modeled after one in South Dakota, rewards Sons of the American Legion members for doing the work and supporting the American Legion, while the Legion gets the new members and continues to grow their membership and stay alive and active. And the whole American Legion Family benefits: Every time the Legion gains a new member, chances are there are family members that are eligible to join the Auxiliary, Sons, Riders and Cruisers.
How it works:
Any SAL member (regular, dual, or triple) that recruits a NEW legion member gets a polo shirt courtesy of the Detachment of Kansas. The detachment pays for the shirts and the embroidery. On one side of the shirt, it is embroidered with “Got One For The Legion Family” and on the other side it is embroidered with the SAL logo/emblem. The shirts were designated to be a bright neon color for two reasons: 1) When you know the program and see someone wearing the shirt, you know they signed up a new legion member 2) It is a great conversation starter for people unaware of the program. The shirt color will change each year, but will be a bright color to draw attention to the program. Limit one shirt per SAL member per year.
Get Started!
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Online Membership Renewal
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