Van Karg has attended numerous state conventions in his 24 years as a member of the Disabled American Veterans, but he was caught off guard at this year’s gathering in Rochester May 2.

That was when he was named the state Adjutant of the Year. In the DAV, an adjutant is a chapter’s secretary and treasurer, charged with keeping meeting minutes as well as correspondence between chapters, members and with the department.

“I was totally surprised,” said the Vietnam veteran and a member of the Hutchinson DAV chapter. “I was happy and quite honored, and kind of speechless for awhile. When they first called my name I had to ask my wife if they had called for me.”

He accepted the award from the state commander.

For more, read the May 13 Leader.

(Terry Davis is a Hutchinson Leader staff writer. E-mail him at davis@hutchinsonleader.com.)