The opening ceremony for The Wall That Heals took place Thursday morning at Al Burns Field in Veterans Memorial Park.
The Great Bend High School Marching Band, directed by Grant Mathews, provided patriotic music.
The following is based on the program that followed.
Opening ceremony
Scott Donovan with Eagle Radio was the emcee.
“If you see somebody with a Wall That Heals yellow shirt on that says ‘volunteer’ on the back, just pat him on the back and say thank you. This group has worked so hard to make this happen,” he said.
Prayer
Jeremy Bower, Army Chaplain with the Kansas National Guard, gave the opening prayer.
“We’re gathered here this morning to pay great tribute, with glad hearts and heavy hearts, to of those who have served in the Vietnam War. ... For every name that is on that wall, there are hundreds and thousands more who have been affected by the names etched into that wall. You also know their names, and I humbly ask a blessing and extra measure of grace to those who are still feeling the effects of this war and those who have lost their loved ones and those still who carry the pain of war in their lives today. I pray that this wall can bring some measure of hope and healing to those who view it. I pray for our Gold Star families and the burdens they carry. They truly know what it means to sacrifice. Please wrap Your arms around them and allow them to experience Your comfort today as well. ...
I pray that our nation never forgets those who have defended our country’s freedom. For those who have lost their lives and the loved ones they’ve left behind, we remember them; we honor them.
Kansas Secretary of State
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Great Bend native and son of a Vietnam veteran, was next to speak. He said that during the Vietnam era, his father served on the USS Forrestal, also known as the Firestall.
“When I was in the Great Bend Marching Band in the ’80s, we went to see George HW Bush’s inaugural, and then our teacher Ron Mink took us to see the Vietnam Memorial in the Mall in Washington, D.C., which is very moving.
A lot of the folks in the stands know names on this wall. So I’m going to encourage you to get to know a name on this wall this weekend; pray for their family, and remember the history lest we ever forget.
“One thing my father told me was, ‘if you see a Vietnam vet’ – I see some here today – ‘make sure you take the time to say welcome home.’ I’m so sorry you didn’t get that. But from your Secretary of State and all those who serve in Topeka to try to carry on our republican democracy that you guys so fervently defended, welcome. Thank you for your service, and from my generation to yours and the generations that follow, we will never forget to say welcome home and to thank you for your time. Thank you and may God bless you and your families, and especially our Gold Star families that gave so much so that others might not have to.”
58,281 names
According to the American Legion, more than 9 million military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam era (Aug. 5, 1964, to March 28, 1973); 8,744,000 GIs were on active duty during the war.
Larry Parsons, chairman of the committee that brought The Wall That Heals to Great Bend, spoke next, noting there were 58,281 that didn’t make it back, whose names are on the wall. “And there are 7,884 women who served in the Vietnam era; eight of them are on the wall, all nurses. Remember we have 1,500 troops still missing in action. As the saying goes, ‘All gave some, some gave all.’ I gave a year, they gave their lives. We’re here to honor the six Vietnam casualties from Barton County and we want to recognize their services and their Gold Star families.
Hometown heroes
Six men from Barton County died in the Vietnam War: Conrad Francis Straub from Claflin, Carl Frederick Karst from Galatia, John Stephen Simmons and Robert Eugene Reidl from Hoisington, and Kent L. Amerine and Edward Lloyd Saenz from Great Bend.
Six from Pawnee County are also on the wall: Richard Earl Arnold, Virgil Arthur Murray, William Marvin Comer Jr., John Cable Petty II, and Luz Viegra, all from Larned; and Clarence Leon Welsch, Garfield.
Other area names: Amos Chester Sherrill II, Stafford; Norman Eugene Small, Alden; James Doyle Eisenhour, La Crosse; Steven Lee Hilmes, Ransom; William David Hoffman, Russell; Ronald Alan Jarvis, Ness City; Phil David Johnson, Sterling; and William Russell Squier Jr., Brownell.
A shadow box was made for each of the six Barton County men. The boxes show their photos and the seal representing their branch of service. They also contain information such as their date of birth and date of casualty. These were presented to Gold Star family members in attendance. If a family member was not able to accept the box, it will go to the Barton County Historical Society.
Parsons asked Gold Star family members from other communities to stand if they were in the audience. Donna Campbell, a representative from the DAR in Pawnee County, presented a wreath on behalf of Gold Star families in Larned.
Davis Jimenez
Great Bend city councilman Davis Jimenez, an Army veteran, spoke next.
“On behalf of the city council, mayor and city staff, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the tribute to the veterans of the Vietnam War.
“While the names on the wall speak for themselves, I think it is important to continue to pay tribute to the 8+ million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. The city of Great Bend is honored to be able to do such a wonderful endeavor. We are the only community in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado or Nebraska this year to host the Wall.
The Wall That Heals is funded by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. There is no charge for admission but donations are accepted.
Closing remarks
Donovan concluded the opening ceremony by saying special thanks goes to the Dorothy Morrison Foundation, the City of Great Bend, American Legion Post 180, VFW Post 3111, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 27 and the Great Bend Foundation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, The Wall That Heals is now open.”
• The display is open 24 hours a day through Saturday, May 13. Taps will be played daily at dusk.
• The Wall That Heals closing ceremony with be at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, with opening remarks by Scott Donovan, closing prayer by VFW Chaplain Bill Gales, and the playing of Taps. At 2 p.m., The Wall That Heals will be closed to the public.
