It was taking entirely too long for the county to come up with enough names to fill the third stone at the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial, so the son of a local veteran decided to take matters into his own hands.
On Monday morning, a tearful and emotional Richard Charles presented a $450 check to the Barton County Commission to purchase 10 more lines on the monument. Both his father and grandfather are already recognized on the existing two stones.
“I’m hoping other businesses, organizations and individuals in the county will step up,” he said. Charles serves as the chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3111 Auxiliary and it is that group that raised these funds.
Ten World War II soldiers from Barton County who have been identified as being killed in action, missing in action, died of their wounds or died, but not in battle, were found by Karen Neurforth at the Barton County Historical Society. They are: Bernard Doherty, Henry Dunekack, Lawrence Evers, Glee Marvin Fox, Thomas Harders, Walter Juergensen, Morton Magie, Frank McCauley, Edward Morris and George Wade.
“Thank you very much for doing this,” Commission Chairwoman Jennifer Schartz said, adding the memorial is something in which the county takes a lot of pride. “I think Barton County is very pleased with your actions.”
“It has taken a lot of people,” Commissioner Kenny Schremmer said. “I’m proud to be a part of this.”
As a side note, Commission’s Assistant Diana Watson said 309 engravings had been purchased for stone three. Monday’s donation fills up 319 lines.
With 520 lines required for the stone to be produced, there are 201 lines at $45 each left to go.
But, there is some confusion. Before it was decommissioned, the Hoisington VFW chapter donated $9,000 to purchase 200 lines — essentially one side of a stone.
This would leave room for 320 lines and the math seems to work, Watson said. But, the chapter had hopes of having one full side for members, making it difficult to merge the two groups.
Now, it is up to former chapter members to see if they are willing to change their request, Watson said.
The monument is located at the Golden Belt Memorial Park, 59 NW 50 Road north of Great Bend.
Those wanting to purchase a spot on the memorial or make a donation can bring their payments to the Barton County Administrator’s Office in room 107 of the courthouse at 1400 Main in Great Bend. For more information call 620-793-1800.
Checks must be made payable to Barton County.
