Barton County Commission Chairman Kenny Schremmer could hardly contain himself Monday morning as the commission discussed the Veterans Memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park.
  On the agenda was the approval of a $1,995 bid from Suchy Construction for a concrete slab as part of the memorial’s first phase. Fundraising efforts for the $55,000 project had stalled so members of the Memorial Parks Advisory Committee had decided to use the $4,800 raised to get something accomplished at the site north of Great Bend.
This way, Committee Chairman Mick Lang said, there would at least be something for people to see. This might rekindle money-raising efforts
Lang said they hoped to have the eight-inch-thick  21-foot by 19-foot slab, a stone with the emblems of the various military branches and flag pole installed by Memorial Day. This would likely exceed the money raised, but the Commission was amiable to kicking in to cover what was left.
However, as the conversation waned, Schremmer spoke up. Early on in the fundraising effort, a anonymous donor promised a matching gift of $5,000 when $5,000 had been raised.
Schremmer said Monday that he had spoken with the donor over the weekend and he decided to offer his match now. Plus, Schremmer said, he offered another $5,000 as a challenge to other contributors.
“I have a check for $10,000,” Schremmer said. “I had a hard time keeping quiet about this.”
In light of the donation, the Lang said they can speed along the work the stone and flag pole.
When completed, the memorial will feature representations of each branch of the military, including Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Merchant Marines (who received veterans status for the years 1942-46). A gray granite marker will contain emblems for each along with the inscription “A nation that forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. This is but a small tribute to all the veterans whose names are forever etched on these tablets. We are eternally grateful for their service to this nation. All gave some, some gave all.”
The committee will accept the contribution of veterans’ names. These will be carved into tablets that flank the center stone. There will also be flags representing the branches of service.
In February 2012, the Barton County Commission approved plans for the fund drive. The memorial will be open to all veterans with Barton County ties, living or deceased.
The committee will accept the contribution of veterans’ names. These will be carved into tablets that flank the center stone. There will also be flags representing the branches of service.
In February 2012, the Barton County Commission approved plans for the fund drive. The memorial will be open to all veterans with Barton County ties, living or deceased.
The Road and Bridge Department has spent the last nine years tending to the two memorial parks north of Great Bend the county inherited when the private ownership left. At this time, the plans for a veterans’ section at Golden Belt were born.
Great Bend sculptor and artist  Chet Cale will design and build the work.