A proposal to designate part of the grounds of Leawood City Hall as a veterans memorial plaza got a favorable reaction from city councilmembers last week as they met in a special work session.
A temporary committee that had been meeting since November recommended the city hall location near the entrance flagpoles and the bubbling rock fountain because that area would require only minimal upgrades and because it already has space for gatherings.
Councilmember Debra Filla said the location seems to be a good fit.
“It’s that ‘Eureka’ moment of doing it right here in the courtyard which is a beautiful space that does not get enough traffic in my estimation,” she said.
Councilmember Julie Cain also gave it a good review.
“The idea of having that out there only enhances our courtyard,” she said. “It’s an elegant solution and costworthy and functional. It pretty much checks all the boxes.”
Memorial idea started with former parks board member
The proposed memorial came about through former Leawood park advisory board member Gary Swanson, who had been talking with veterans, said April Bishop, chair of the Leawood Historic Commission.
There are currently about 1,500 veterans living in Leawood, and returning vets have always been a big part of the city’s population and broader area, from the post-Civil War period through after World War II and beyond, she said.
The memorial will be dedicated to all veterans past and present who have served in war and peacetime.
Where exactly would the memorial go?
The location is on the fountain side of a small brick wall with flagpoles at the main driveway to Leawood City Hall, 4800 Town Center Dr.
The slightly raised area has the advantages of nearby parking, existing power outlets and restrooms, as well as accessibility, Bishop said.
Committee members hope all of those things will make it more likely the memorial can be done soon.
There is no design yet, but the council and committee members discussed possibilities of adding service medallions or plaques to the wall as a way to start.
What happens next
The design is the next step as the idea makes its way through the city planning process.
The plan is for the memorial to be funded entirely by private donation, with the city providing the location.
Official fundraising has not yet started, but Alice Hawk, chair of the Leawood Foundation, said the group has already earmarked $12,000 and has been doing some informal fundraising.
Every city should honor its veterans, said Chuck Marcus, a committee member and retired U.S. Army colonel who served in the dental corps and in Iraq.
“(We) have liberty because of the veterans. We’re here tonight because of the veterans. We are what we are because of the men and women who put on that uniform,” he said.
