Great Bend's 'Argonne Forest' will be topic at historical society

Barton County Historical Society will hold its May program meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Historical Village, located just south of Great Bend, across the Arkansas River Bridge, on U.S. 281.
The featured speaker will be Toni Rice, of the Great Bend Tree Board, who will discuss plans to rehabilitate the Argonne Forest section of Veterans Memorial Park. Trees in this portion of the park were planted to honor local veterans of World War I, including members of Company C, Second Infantry, Kansas National Guard. This Guard unit, headquartered at Great Bend, was called into active service in August 1917 and became part of the 137th US Infantry, 35th Division, which saw action during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives in France. Twenty-six men of Company C were killed in action.
Great Bend is designated as a Tree City USA. The Tree Board serves as an advisory board to help beautify the City by encouraging the planting of approved species. It has established a rebate program and a dead tree removal program that can be utilized by residents of the City.
The meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.