By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Wall That Heals provided a temporary memorial to Vietnam veterans as it made its way through Barton County and Great Bend last May. In December 2023, a small committee of Vietnam veterans approached the Great Bend City Council about installing a permanent memorial at Veterans Memorial Park. Over the weekend, the first pieces of the 50-foot memorial were installed on the north side of the lake. Larry Parsons, a Vietnam veteran and member of the committee, has been pleased with the progress.
"We're really excited it's finally here," he said. "We've been working on this for a little over a year and we're ready to finish it up. I think it's looking pretty good and we're probably about halfway done."
Hoisington's B&B Metal Arts constructed the memorial that features two 25-foot wings and insignia from all branches of the United States armed forces. As of Monday morning, neither the 12-foot 3-D Huey UH-1 chopper above the wall nor the soldiers and elephant plants in front of the wall had been installed. All the materials are stainless steel, similar to the "Play Ball" structure at the Great Bend Sports Complex and the "Breaking the Sod" statue at the intersection of 10th Street and K-96 Highway.
"It's not going to rust," said Parsons. "We're really pleased with it so far and I think it will be an asset to the community. I think it's going to bring some people in. But our emphasis is on the Vietnam veterans."
The memorial carried a price tag of approximately $115,000, most of which has been raised. Parsons said funds are still being collected for a bench and a protective fence. The city of Great Bend will provide irrigation and a sidewalk around the memorial.
Donations for the memorial are tax deductible and can be mailed to the Great Bend Foundation, PO Box 533, Great Bend, Kansas, 67530.