It was in February of last year that the Barton County Commission approved plans for the fund drive to raise money for an veterans memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park. But the idea dates back almost a decade.
Golden Belt is one of two such parks north of Great Bend more or less inherited by the county nine years ago. When the county began maintaining the sites, the vision arose to honor all veterans with Barton County ties, living or deceased.
Spearheading the effort was the Barton County Cemetery Board, a small band of volunteers dedicated to this vision. Plans were made and Great Bend sculptor and artist  Chet Cale was tapped design and build the work.
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 is accepting 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.
It is a grand concept indeed and the wheels were set in motion.
Sadly, however, the effort has stagnated.
For nearly two years now, these folks have held fundraisers and other organizations have held fundraisers to benefit the project. But, to date, they have raised just $4,000 of their $55,000 goal.
At $5,000, an anonymous donor will match $5,000.
“We just want to get their names out there,” said Paige Lofland, committee co-chair. “We want to make sure they are never forgotten and make it know that Barton County is proud of its veterans.”
Members understand money is tight and that there are many competing charities seeking contributions. There are also utterly false rumors circulating that the money raised for the memorial is being spent elsewhere.
There are roughly 17,000 registered voters in Barton County. If this cause generated the equivalent of just $3 per voter, that would yield $51,000.
Problem solved.
Now, most of us know a veteran, are related to a veteran or are a veteran. As we prepare for Veterans Day 2013, let us all consider this a worthwhile project.
Dale Hogg