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Great Bend Vietnam Memorial
Episode 3228 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how the good people of Great Bend, KS have honored Vietnam Veterans. The featured story appeared on the Great Bend Tribune website and is titled: Vietnam Veterans memorial sees addition. It was submitted by Susan Thacker.
Thacker reported that A powerful new tribute is being added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Great Bend, further honoring the courage and sacrifice of the Vietnam Veteran generation—one of the most resilient and underappreciated groups in American history. On March 29, recognized as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, six service flags will be placed at the memorial. Each flag bears the name of a fallen hero from Barton County who gave his life during the Vietnam War.
These six men—Kent L. Amerine, Robert E. Riedel, Edward L. Saenz, John S. Simmons, Conrad F. Straub, and Carl F. Karst—represent the very best of a generation that answered the call of duty without hesitation. Their legacy reflects not only sacrifice, but the quiet strength, loyalty, and perseverance that define Vietnam veterans as a whole.
The memorial itself stands as a testament to that greatness. Inspired by the overwhelming response to “The Wall That Heals” exhibit in 2023, a group of dedicated local veterans came together to ensure that all who served would be remembered. Designed as a 50-foot installation featuring a helicopter, service emblems, and soldiers in the field, it captures the reality of war while offering a place of reflection and healing.
Funded entirely through private donations, the project embodies the enduring spirit of the Vietnam Veteran generation—selfless, determined, and united. These men and women carried the burdens of war long after returning home, and memorials like this ensure their sacrifices, and their greatness, will never be forgotten.
Listen to Episode 3228 and discover more about how the good people of Great Bend, KS have honored Vietnam Veterans.
