The Kansas National Guard is hosting the Joint State Conference Friday through Sunday; it's a big combination of the annual conferences of three groups: the Kansas Committee Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the National Guard Family Programs Office, and the National Guard Association of Kansas. 

Several national speakers will be on hand, including the Honorable Thomas Hall, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs; Dr. L. Gordon Sumner, Jr., executive director of the National ESGR; and syndicated columnist Jacey Eckhart. 

The Kansas Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, will also deliver the annual State of the Guard address.