Topeka ? A group of Kansas National Guard soldiers who provide military honors to deceased veterans will be heading to Virginia for a national competition.

The soldiers will represent a region of the United States that includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas. The detail will be judged on a range of criteria from professional appearance to precision ceremonial drills.

In 2007, the Army National Guard established the Honor Guard National Competition. The event runs Sept. 13-17 in Arlington, Va., at Fort Myer.

Seven teams from around the country will compete for top honors.

The Kansas team has members from around the state. Federal law provides that a military detail can be provided at a family’s request for the burial of any eligible veteran.