Vet Memorial one to take pride in

    Veterans in Chase County, along with the entire Chase County community, can take great pride in the new Veterans Memorial officially dedicated on Memorial Day Monday.  
    The centerpiece of the memorial features a bronze sculpture by renowned Columbus, Nebraska sculptor Fred Hoppe, known for his war memorial sculptures, including WWII sites.  
    The finely detailed sculpture depicts a World War II soldier kneeling in prayer holding the dog tags of a lost comrade—symbolized by the empty boots and helmet resting atop a rifle speared into the ground.
    The newly dedicated memorial represents an effort that began four years ago. Committee Chair Bob Thomas said they wanted to create something that would be a lasting memorial to veterans.
    From the outset, they envisioned a sculpture as the theme. Thomas said he got recommendations for a sculptor in Kansas, along with one for Hoppe.
    After visiting with Hoppe and checking out some of his work, Thomas said the committee knew Hoppe was the right person for the job. His Nebraska ties and familiarity with war memorials  solidified their decision.
    Early on, one of the big decsions to be made was where to locate the memorial. Ultimately, the courthouse lawn was determined to be the best place for what was planned as a county memorial.
    A granite-faced wall serves as the backdrop for the memorial, with commemorative bricks placed above the granite.
    An electronic kiosk features veterans with ties to Chase County including pictures and biographical information.
    The memorial is encircled with sidewalk that includes six benches representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.
    The City of Imperial pledged $100,000 towards the project, with the county providing the site and another $75,000 commitment.
    Thomas projected the cost of the memorial at around $200,000. They have raised additional funds through donations, drawings and special events. These will be reserved for ongoing maintenance, he said.
    The opportunity to purchase a $200 commemorative brick in honor of veterans, family members, etc., is ongoing.
     Thomas, who served as the emcee for the ceremony, expressed appreciation to all the donors, contractors and bench sponsors. Those included Adams Bank, Pinnacle Bank, Waypoint Bank,  the Sandy Rufenanct family, the Gregg Smith family and the Hughes family clan.
    Guest speakers at the cememony included 44th District Senator Dan Hughes of Venango and Patriot Pen author Olivia Spady. Rev. David Kahle, a veteran as well, provided the invocation and benediction.
Hoppe impressed by support
    Hoppe credited Chase County for the large crowd, estimated at between 250 to 300 people.
    “This is one of the bigger turnouts we’ve ever had in doing a sculpture like this,” he said. “I’ve done 186 of these across eight states and we just set four of them on Utah Beach.”
    Hoppe said he gets lots of calls from communities that want to do a sculpture but they never make it happen “because the

people don’t get together like they do here.”
    After getting contacted by Thomas, he said he learned this group was committed to make it happen.
    “Congratulations to you guys for getting this thing together like that because it’s one of the prettiest ones I’ve ever done,” he said.
    He said it took two years from start to finish for Imperial’s sculpture.
    He told the crowd he became interested in military-themed sculptures through his dad, who was a decorated WWII combat vet serving with the 13th Division.
    In addition, his wife’s family  history in the military goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War, including the Civil War.  
    Hoppe did the largest military sculpture in the world—50 soldiers running up the beach—in front of the Veterans Memorial Museum in Branson, Missouri.
    He closed by expressing his thanks.
    “Without freedom we have nothing. Without the veterans we have no freedom. As long as we remember that, I think we’ll get along just fine,” he noted.
    Members of the memorial committee include Thomas, Vice-Chairman Dave Oxford, Sr.,
Treasurer Eric Gonzalez, Secretary Teresa Goff, Sue Moore, Bud Statz, Bob Hartman and Jana Pribbeno.