TOPEKA — Kansas senators approved a series of bills Tuesday, including one allowing the construction on Statehouse grounds of a permanent memorial honoring the immediate families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Senate Bill 330 comes in response to a unanimous decision by the Capitol Preservation Committee to add a Gold Star Family monument to the Veterans’ Walk outside the Capitol building in Topeka. The memorial will be funded entirely though donations and private funds.
“We are very anxious to erect and have a dedication ceremony for this Gold Star memorial later on this year,” said Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia. “The Capitol Preservation Committee has given preliminary approval. The design has been done and fundraising is getting ready to be started.”
The Senate approved the bill 40-0, and an identical measure has a hearing Thursday in the House Veterans and Military Committee.
Perry Wiggins, executive director for the governor’s Military Council, said Kansas is one of few remaining states yet to have one of these memorials established on Statehouse grounds. He said the bill would rectify this oversight and emphasize Kansas’ military support.
“As a father of two servicemen myself, I can tell you that’s one of the hardest things you can do. Standing on point for this nation in uniform for me was not difficult but to have to have two of my own standing on point is very difficult,” Wiggins said. “Our true and unsung heroes for this nation are those families, the ones who have given the ultimate sacrifice and sacrificed our nation’s most precious resource, which is its sons and daughters.”
