BUHLER, Kan. — The Buhler Community Foundation’s Fund for Buhler Grant Awards program is Oct. 4. In addition to the grant presentation to various Buhler organizations, the evening will feature a dinner and address from retired Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, who graduated from Buhler High in 1969.

Thiessen will begin his address at 6:15 p.m. following a 5:30 dinner that kicks off the evening at the Buhler High School cafeteria.

Thiessen, who is the president and chief executive officer of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, was commissioned a Marine Corps second lieutenant in 1974. He served as an AV-8A Harrier pilot and completed numerous deployments in the Mediterranean Sea and Okinawa. He then held various commands and was appointed as the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for Expeditionary Force Programs.

Thiessen was also the deputy director of operations, National Military Center; inspector general of the Marine Corps; commander of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in Okinawa; commander of Marine Forces Korea; and assistant chief of staff of the United Nations Command. He was promoted to lieutenant general and was the deputy commandant for Programs and Resources at Marine headquarters. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2012.

The foundation will award 2019 grants to various community organizations following Thiessen’s speech. The event is free and open to the public.