Topeka ? A Senate committee has approved three promotions for the Kansas National Guard put forth by Gov. Mark Parkinson.

Colonels Lee Tafanelli, a state legislator from Ozawkie, Vic Braden of Lawrence, and Eric Peck of Manhattan, were appointed brigadier generals and approved earlier this week by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee.

“I am extremely proud of the fine soldiers who serve their fellow citizens so loyally and selflessly in the armed forces,” Parkinson said.

Adjutant Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting recently promoted Tafanelli as assistant adjutant general of the Kansas Army Guard, Braden as deputy commander of the 35th Infantry Division in Leavenworth, and Peck to director of the Great Plains Job Training Center in Salina.