If you ever thought there must be something especially “right” about Pittsburg — Kansas, that is — then you were right, as a recent move by the community illustrates.
It all began several years ago when a set of steel panels were donated to the community, commemorating the Vietnam Memorial, the Wall, that is located in Washington, D.C.
The metal panels were marked with the names of those lost in that contracted war — almost 60,000 Americans — but in Washington, the full sized memorial is made of stone.
Sadly, this metal reproduction was not constructed to stand up, forever at least, to the Kansas weather.
Over the years, many of the names were lost, and the memorial was fading rapidly.
Now that is being fixed, according to a recent Associated Press report.
“Private donors have given $250,000 to pay for the new black granite, which will be installed in time for Memorial Day ceremonies.
“The current memorial contains 58,195 names but does not bear those added to the Washington D.C. memorial every year. When the new granite panels are introduced, the most current names will be included. Pittsburg State University will add more names as they are released by the government.”
So there you go.
The next time you are wondering what is right in Kansas, remember the 58,195 names that are being memorialized in stone, thanks to caring citizens.
— Chuck Smith