The Argonne Forest display unveiled by the Great Bend Tree Board earlier this year is nearing completion, Tree Board President Toni Rice said.
The Tree Board celebrated National Arbor Day last April by rededicating the Argonne Forest on the northeast side of Veterans Memorial Park. Thanks to the late Ray “Jiggs” Schulz, that section of the park was originally dedicated to the young men from Barton County and the surrounding area who fought in World War I and, specifically, the Battle of Argonne in Germany on Sept. 26, 1918.
Work to renew the area began several years ago.
Since 2015, work on the project has included labeling trees in the forest with attractive, weather-proof signs which illustrate the trees and give their growth statistics; and providing signs which tell the story of the soldiers from Great Bend who served in the U.S. Army’s Company C and who fought and died in the Argonne Forest of France during the last year of the war.
“We wanted to have it done by this year since it is the 100th year anniversary of the battle and the end of the war,” Rice said.
The Great Bend Tree Board worked diligently to rebuild the Argonne Forest area of the park by planting additional native trees, creating walking paths and adding signs identifying tree species and an arboretum at the entrance, built by Terry Stueder.
Now there are additional displays explaining some of the historical significance of the area. These include artwork of a World War I soldier, added this past weekend, who stands next to a sign that explains the Battle of the Argonne Forrest. There is also a framed combat photo.
The final touches may be done this week, she said. Joe Bussen from Hoisington is doing the sign work.
“Inside the arbor are pictures of our Great Bend men who fought in the Battle of Argonne in France toward the end of the war. It was one of the pivotal battles to bring the war to an end,” Rice said.
“I have noticed quite a bit of interest in this project throughout the summer when I’ve been watering,” she added. “Lots of walkers are stopping by to look and read and ask questions. Several have personal knowledge of their ancestors fighting in this battle.”
