By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Area veterans will be honored at several ceremonies and events on Friday, Nov. 11 as part of Veterans Day. Barton County announced at last Wednesday's commission meeting that a new stone will be dedicated at Golden Belt Memorial Park that day, and the commission also signed Proclamation 2022-17: Operation Green Light for Veterans.
"The initiative will shine a light on the issues veterans face and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels," explained Barton County Director of Operations Matt Patzner. "As lighting the courthouse green has been problematic, it's been suggested the county light the Golden Belt Veterans Memorial. Two solar-powered green lights have been purchased that will be set in a manner that will spotlight the center stone."
The county purchased two solar-powered lights that can be turned green for the week of Nov. 7-13. Commissioner Jennifer Schartz suggested keeping the lights operational after Nov. 13 to provide more light at the memorial, located north of Great Bend at 59 NW 50 Road.
A new stone will be dedicated at the memorial as part of a ceremony Friday at 1:30 p.m. Memorial Parks Advisory Committee Member Mick Lang told the commission Stone IV should be in place by then. Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson, a veteran, will speak at the ceremony, which will also include musical selections. Hutchinson encouraged other commissioners and commissioner-elects to attend.
Stone IV will include the names of 332 local veterans ranging from the Civil and Spanish Wars to the present.