The Wamego Area Veteran’s Memorial is for all wars, WWI to present.  The names of the fallen of each war are listed on the side walls of the memorial.  The wall is 8’ tall by 17’ wide made of black granite, which is called absolute black and is the same granite used in the Vietnam Memorial located in Washington DC.  The center wall has the five service medallions.  The left wall covers WWI and WWII fallen, with an etching of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima.  The right wall covers all wars from Korean to present, with an image etched of the three Vietnam veterans at their memorial, in Washington DC.   The font used allows for rubbings of the fallen listed on the wall.  The black granite brick circle helps give meaning to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice by the fallen and separates it from the rest of the memorial.

In front of the wall is a bronze life size soldier (Duty Called), created by Charlie Norton and Carson Norton. He is kneeling in front of a WWII battle cross, helmet, M1 and dog tags.  He faces straight forward in recognition of the 92 names on the wall.  The WWII style battle cross was chosen as it was used to actually mark the location of the fallen in the field.  This soldier is mounted on a 60” black granite slab. 

The Memorial’s overall design is a wagon wheel representing Wamego’s ties with the Oregon Trail and the Old Military trail from Ft. Leavenworth to Ft. Riley.  In Phase Two, the completion of the wheel design will allow for future expansion.  The walk ways are lined with gray granite bricks, minimizing foot traffic on the bricks.  Bricks are available for a donation to engrave with any veteran or active duty name (these are not limited to local veterans) by contacting Wamego City Hall, 403 Lincoln Ave, Wamego 785 456-9119