Nov 10, 2025

SPONSORED: Dedication ceremony set for Morland veterans memorial

Posted Nov 10, 2025 9:30 AM

The Morland Community Foundation, in conjunction with the city of Morland, is pleased to announce we are nearing completion of phase 1 at our Veterans' Memorial in the city park in Morland, Kansas.

This project began with an idea from Vietnam Veteran Sgt. Ray Toll. Ray served honorably in the central region of Vietnam until he was wounded by a sniper round while crossing a rice paddy.

<i>Sgt. Ray Toll&nbsp;and his granddaughter, Winter, talking with residents about our project. Courtesy photo</i>
Sgt. Ray Toll and his granddaughter, Winter, talking with residents about our project. Courtesy photo


Ray received a Purple Heart and was discharged shortly after. Ray has been the inspiration and driving force behind this project. He has never wavered in his dedication; the man simply has no "give up."

Our project has taken over three years to get to this point and will continue into the future.

<i>Veterans' Memorial in the city park in Morland, Kansas.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</i>
Veterans' Memorial in the city park in Morland, Kansas. Courtesy photo

Ray made a wooden model of this project and took it to multiple events to show the public what we were going to build.

He even utilized the help of his granddaughter, Winter, to help work the display stands and booths at local events to promote our project.

<i>Veterans' Memorial in the city park in Morland, Kansas.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</i>
Veterans' Memorial in the city park in Morland, Kansas. Courtesy photo

We have implemented a "buy a brick" program where anyone can purchase a brick and have a veteran's name, rank and place of service sandblasted into a brick, that brick will then be display on a raised platform in our park with other veterans.

<i>Ray Toll at North Platte Nebraska's veterans memorial.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</i>
Ray Toll at North Platte Nebraska's veterans memorial. Courtesy photo

We include current active-duty military members and veterans in our memorial. Anyone who served or is serving can have an honorable place in our memorial.

Our dedication ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11.

For more information or to purchase a brick, you can visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/morlandveterans.

<i>Ray Toll's brick at North Platte Nebraska's veterans memorial.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</i>
Ray Toll's brick at North Platte Nebraska's veterans memorial. Courtesy photo
<i>Sgt. Ray Toll in uniform. He was with the 173rd Airborne Unit.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</i>
Sgt. Ray Toll in uniform. He was with the 173rd Airborne Unit. Courtesy photo
<i>Morland firefighters placing a statue in the park.&nbsp;Courtesy photo</i>
Morland firefighters placing a statue in the park. Courtesy photo