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June 13, 2009

News

PSU wages battle with Nature to care for memorial

Workers at Pittsburg State University replaced more of the faded panels in the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall this summer, but the power of the elements means there is still more to do. The wall, an important element in the Veterans Memorial at PSU, is a half-sized replica of the famous memorial in Washington, D.C. Instead of granite, PSU wall's panels are made of metal and are painted, which makes them vulnerable to the effects of the weather.

The PSU wall was originally one of the Moving Walls created by John Devitt, a veteran who wanted to find a way to take the experience of visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to people across the U.S. who might not be able to make the trip to Washington. When the PSU Veterans Memorial was planned, Devitt offered to retire one of his moving walls to occupy a place of honor in the new memorial.

The intense Kansas sun and seasons of all kinds of weather have taken their toll since the wall's installation in 2004 and the university has embarked on a plan to replace all of the faded or worn panels.

Devitt is the only manufacturer of the panels and the university is working with him to replace them as quickly as possible, according to university officials. The replacement plan is complicated by the fact that Devitt maintains a busy schedule touring with the Moving Wall and is available to produce replacement panels only in the winter.

PSU officials are working with Devitt to try to make the panels more resistant to the weather over time. A new formula for a polyurethane coating may help.

"Thousands of people visit the memorial each year," said Brad Hodson, vice president for university advancement. "The Wall is an important element in the memorial and we want to make sure it is well cared for."

September 21, 2008

Veterans honored at Ceremony
By Andrew Nash
Morning Sun Staff Writer
(Used with permission)

This quote from Abraham Lincoln is inscribed on the Veterans Memorial at Pittsburg State: "Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause." Honor is just what festivities related to "Celebrating our Military Heritage" at the Veterans Memorial were all about.

Ceremony

A few hundred people gathered for a ceremony at the memorial Saturday for festivities that included a flag folding presentation and an oath of affirmation for several new and returning soldiers. The 312th U.S. Army Band, Joel Wren of Great Highland Bagpipes, and the 1011th Army Reserve opened the festivities by posting the colors while the crowd stood at salute. After information on the memorial, Major General James W. Rafferty, the commanding general of the 89th Regional Readiness Command, spoke to the crowd, but only after engaging them in a little patriotic exercise. Rafferty had those attending perform the "wave" while shouting "America Strong." "That's the message we need to keep on sending," Rafferty told the crowd. "Without a doubt, the most potent weapon in war is the brave men and women in uniform. The Army's latest theme is a call to duty, boots on the ground and America strong." Many of the crowd were veterans themselves, and there was also a chair left empty, with a POW/MIA flag draped over it to recognize those still missing. Rafferty made note of the strengths of soldiers in his speech. "The values by which soldiers live are loyalty, duty, self-respect, honor and courage," Rafferty said. "They are like you or me, devoted to our country and willing to protect it." Following Rafferty's speech, American Legion Riders Post 64 gave a flag-folding presentation, highlighting the meaning behind each of the 13 folds one would make when folding the flag. There was also a re-enlistment ceremony with 11 current "warrior citizen soldiers", while 11 future soldiers took their Oath of Enlistment as given by Rafferty. "Your patriotism, honor, and fidelity is outstanding," Rafferty said. "It's all what you make of it. What you put into it will be returned to you tenfold."

Reaction and ride

The ceremony brought tears to one veteran's eyes. Larry Renick, who served for 30 years in the Air Force, as well as in Vietnam, said the ceremony was moving and reminded him of his missing POW friends. "It was a great ceremony, honoring all veterans, new veterans, new soldiers, old soldiers, retired guys," Renick said. "I think our country has been heading down a road like it was when we returned from the Vietnam War. There's a lot of people dissatisfied in their government." Renick said he drives a red, white, and blue motorcycle to remember his service. On the other end of the spectrum is James Park, Fort Scott, one of the eleven new recruits who took the oath of enlistment. Park said the ceremony was especially important to him, given his family history. "I am a fifth-generation soldier. My father, my grandfather, and so on," Park said. "I'd really like to serve. My country means a lot to me. The country's been good to my family. I just want to give something back to it." Following the ceremony, American Legion Riders led a ride over to Gorilla Village. "Any time they have anything over at the memorial, it touches people's hearts," said Bob Torbett, group director. "It represents POWs, KIA, past vets, present vets. As a veteran service organization, that's important to us." And finally, the answer to a long-asked question came: What is it about veterans and motorcycles? "When kids remember us coming to talk to them, they may not remember what I said, but they remember the motorcycles," Torbett said. "It opens some doors that wouldn't normally be opened."

Chinook landing

YMCA flag and tackle football games at Pittsburg State had to be stopped as a Chinook helicopter landed just south of the fields as part of the festivities at Gorilla Village. The landing was a surprise to most people, although the YMCA knew of the arrangements. "If the Army wants to do this, I'm OK with it," Mark Kolarik, parent, said. "We can wait however long they want. I don't think these kids have ever seen a Chinook land. But it would have been nice if they had let us know about it." One coach, returning to his third and fourth grade flag football game, was pleased to wait for the helicopter. "It's pretty exciting," said Brian Sullivan, coach of the Vikings. "The kids are very into it. It's kind of a big event for them." Even those serving as part of the Chinook team said they were having a great time. The Chinook is based just outside of Olathe. The team has to take the helicopter on a minimum of 48 flights a year for just this sort of event. One member of the team said he gets just as excited as the kids walking through the helicopter are. "In my day job, I'm a computer nerd," said 1st Lt. Christopher Ruff. "On the weekends, I get to come out and fly. I definitely look forward to my weekend when I'm sitting in my cube all week."

November 10, 2007

Unique Celebration
By Peter Euler
Morning Sun Staff Writer
(Used with permission)

Pittsburg State University, the city of Pittsburg and local school districts found a unique way to celebrate Veterans Day Friday afternoon, using it as an educational opportunity for local students.

Along with the traditional playing of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Taps," students from Pittsburg Community Middle School, St. Mary's Junior High School and George Nettels Elementary School were given a history lesson, as they were told the history of the color guard, "Taps," and the cannon salute.

They also heard quotes that former U.S. Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy, Reagan and Clinton have said in honoring veterans.

"What a glorious fall day and what a wonderful opportunity for us to gather to honor all of our veterans, both past and present, living and dead," retired administrator in Pittsburg USD 250, said in addressing the crowd, about half-filled with students. "We gather today to say thank you for your service to our country. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you all to this sacred place, to this beautiful Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial.

"Welcome as we again pay tribute to the men and women who have stood their watch so that we may enjoy the blessings of liberty."

Chris Bettega, a teacher at St. Mary's Elementary School, said the ceremony taught a lot of students an important history lesson, adding that many children in the community didn't even realize that the memorial existed in Pittsburg.

"It's good for the kids to be in this situation, a solemn ceremony," he said. ... "A lot of them didn't even realize we had this until today."

"This has just been a great addition to the community and the university," Ron Womble, PSU director of public relations, said of the memorial.

Womble added that teaching kids' these history lessons are very important.

"The vets were really excited we were willing to do an educational piece to this," he said. "We have to keep teaching the younger generation about the values of service."The students at the memorial also helped it reach an important milestone, passing the 100,000 visitor mark at the monument which was dedicated on Memorial Day, 2004.

But the educational piece was a critical aspect of the festivities.

"As a university, we are an educational institution and certainly we have an educational mission and one of the things that we feel is important to do is what we did today and that is education tied to what this memorial mean," PSU President Tom Bryant said.

"It's got to be good, especially for these youngsters that don't know anything about the war," Bud James of Girard, a retired gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and Korean War veteran, said.

But as is true with all Veterans Day festivities, it was also a somber time — remembering fallen servicemen and comrades who have died in the years since their service in wars, past and present.

"A lot of these plaques, I know the guys are gone," James said.

Howard Smith, PSU's assistant to the president, told the children that they can still learn from the sacrifices of the many veterans honored at the memorial and in attendance at the ceremony.

"What these men and women and their families have in common is that they were willing to put aside their own plans, their own hopes and their own dreams to represent the country they love," he said.

January 3, 2007

Pittsburg State hosts a memorial to honor late President Gerald Ford
By Katie StockStill
Morning Sun Staff Writer
(Used with permission)

Sitting under a U.S. flag, flying at half mast, citizens gathered at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial to pay their respects to the nation's 38th president, Gerald R. Ford, Tuesday afternoon.

James AuBuchon, former vice president for academic advancement for PSU, led the ceremony. An invocation was given by Fr. William Wolff of St. Peter's Episcopal Church and Marsha Mauersberger sang "America the Beautiful" and "Amazing Grace."

Randy Roberts, curator of special collections for PSU's Axe Library, gave a short summary of Ford's life, accomplishments and his presidential legacy.

"Ford is remembered as a self-evasive man that served our country through tough periods in the 1970's," Roberts said. "He was a man of conquest. He was an honest, intelligent, civil man with transparent humanity. And although his time in office was short lived, history does not deem it insignificant. America has recognized Ford's presidency of bravery. He made this nation feel better about itself."

Roberts not only spoke of Ford's time in office, he also told of his childhood, his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II and his political endeavors.

"It is very appropriate to hold this ceremony at the Veterans Memorial because on April 13, 1942, Pres. Ford joined the U.S. Navy," Roberts said.

AuBuchon said that holding Ford's ceremony at the Veterans Memorial adds dignity and meaning to the memorial. It is also important, AuBuchon said, to provide people outside of Washington D.C. an opportunity to honor and remember Ford.

"Here in the Midwest we are so removed from the pomp and circumstance," AuBuchon said. "This service allows people to feel connected to the rest of the national and allow them an opportunity to remember Ford. And this is the perfect setting for that type of thing."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Mark Werner, president of the board of commissioners for the city of Pittsburg, placed a wreath in front of the reflective pool to honor Ford, the 772nd Mobility Augmentation Co. from the Kansas Army National Guard rendered honors to Ford, and PSU student Trey Wadell played "Taps."

As guests left the service, they were asked to sign a book of condolences which will be sent to the Ford Library, located in Grand Rapids, Mich.

November 12, 2006

Program honors 'defenders of freedom'
By Scott Sims
Morning Sun Staff Writer
(Used with permission)

An estimated 1,000 people were in Pittsburg on Saturday morning to honor veterans during the Veterans Day observance at the Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at Pittsburg State University.

The ceremony, entitled "Honoring the Defenders of Freedom" was for anyone, but particularly veterans and their families.

Ray Crites, from Portland, Ore., was in the Army during Korean War. He attended the ceremony with his brother Floyd.

Floyd was in the Army during World War II and he and Crites had a brother that was killed during World War II.

"So we consider this important," Crites said.

Crites' brother volunteered to work behind enemy lines during World War II detonating bombs and blowing up bridges.

"It is a time to appreciate the people that have given their lives," Crites said. "We've lost a lot of good people. In fact, most of the good ones that were killed, were the best. Because they were in harms way."

The ceremony honored veterans and their families.

The keynote speaker was Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Watts, USA (Ret), who said the reason we have Veterans Day is to remind people of the sacrifices veterans have made.

"If you look back over time, what kept this country free are the people who made the commitment to serve there country," Watts said. "If you want to keep a country going, you have to honor those who have made it great so far. Why do we honor hall of fame baseball players, why do we honor hall of fame football players. It's because of what they did to keep it going.

"It reminds me of the sacrifices people have made," Watts said. "It makes me feel proud that I was a part of that, that I made a small contribution to this great country. I look around at the people who have served and feel humbled to be part of that great effort. It reminds me everyday to thank a veteran or someone serving today on my behalf and everyone's behalf."

Brig. Gen. James M. AuBuchon, USA (Ret) said the importance of Veterans Day really has two dimensions. One is the dimension of recognizing the veterans themselves and their families for their service and their sacrifices in order to maintain a free country. The other dimension is one of public awareness and education.

"I hold the opinion that we current veterans have an obligation to pass to the next generation of Americans what duty, sacrifice and service means, and why it's so important to maintain our way of life."

AuBuchon hopes ceremonies like the Veterans Day program at the Veterans Memorial in Pittsburg serve both of those dimensions.

Tom Speck, of Osawatomie, was in the Army for 30 years.

"As a veteran, to me, particularly from the Vietnam era, it means that the people recognize the contributions and the sacrifices that were made by these people you see the pavers out there for. And it's about time."

At the Veterans Memorial, there are pavers commemorating fallen servicemen.

"A lot of us, and I was one, there for a while, people would spit on us," Speck said. "Now the guys are getting the recognition for making the sacrifices and I think that's critical.

"I'm proud of these guys and what they've accomplished," Speck said.

Army Cpl. Jason Christian, of the Kansas Army National Guard 772nd Mobile Augmentation Company, formerly the 891st Engineer Battalion said he was at the event to honor the servicemen that came before him.

"It's one of the reasons that we joined," Christian said. "You see the older guys, they come out and it's a way to respect them. You can't forget when you're still in. It's for us too, but mainly I feel it's for the older guys, to respect them."

Christian's unit got back from Iraq in December.

"We like to come and see the older guys," Christian said. "It puts a smile on their face. We're proud to serve and to be here for the Veterans."

Watts said those who have served in the military are part of a brotherhood that never ends.

"It's a team," Watts said. "It's the best team in the world. It's a team that plays to win. It doesn't play to tie or loose. The military team that plays to tie or loose fails. It's a joint team and all of them have to pull together to make it work."

He said we can't honor veterans every day, but people should offer thanks, when they can, to any veteran they meet, even if it is not on Veterans Day.

"The best thing we can do is that every time you see a veteran, take the time to shake their hand and tell them thank you for their service," Watts said.

May 30, 2006

Ceremonies showcase memorial enhancements

Memorial Day 2006 was a time for the PSU Veterans Memorial to showcase two major upgrades. A large crowd gathered to dedicate 130 new pavers added to the Guy and Claire Sutherland Entrance Plaza as well as engraved black-granite cladding added to the low walls flanking the Memorial Architrave in the amphitheater.

The new pavers brought the total number of pavers in the memorial to 2,610. The next paver installation is scheduled for Nov. 11, 2006. Pavers must be purchased by Oct. 2 to be included in the Nov. 11 installation. Pavers are $150 for an 8-inch square paver or $300 for a 12-inch square paver. For information, contact the Office of Development at 620-235-4768 or e-mail lmetro@pittstate.edu.

The engraved black-granite cladding, which cost about $34,000, was funded by gifts from Ivan and Betty Crossland, Jr., of Columbus, Kan., and a group of nearly 100 Sigma Chi alumni. Gen. (ret.) George Lampe, who was the keynote speaker for the Memorial Day observance, spearheaded the effort among the Sigma Chi alumni.

The quotes on the walls, which flank the Memorial Architrave and eternal flame, are: “Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause,” from Abraham Lincoln; “God grants liberty only to those who live it, and are always ready to guard and defend it,” from Daniel Webster; and “From this day to the ending of the world ... we in it shall be remembered ... we band of brothers; for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother,” from Shakespeare’s “Henry V.”

Work is already underway on an additional enhancement to the Veterans Memorial. A computerized information kiosk will soon be installed near the Guy and Claire Sutherland Entrance Plaza. Visitors will be able to access information on the location of names on the Moving Wall or engraved pavers in either the Brock Family Amphitheater Plaza or the Sutherland Entrance Plaza. Additional information on the memorial as well as photos will be available at the kiosk computer as well.

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