By Greg Grisolano
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Veterans Memorial Amphitheater at Pittsburg State University is closing in on a milestone to commemorate the third anniversary of its opening.
According to Craig Hull, director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, nearly 100,000 people have visited the monument to veterans since the site opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2004.
“We’ve had over 85,878 visitors as of January of 2007,” said Hull, who coordinates with travel agencies and other groups to bring people to the area each year.
“We had 41,955 visitors in 2004, 21,732 in 2005, and 22,191 in 2006,” Hull said.
On Monday, PSU will hold a ceremony “A Salute to All Veterans” at the memorial, located at 1909 S. Rouse St, as part of the observances for Memorial Day. The event, which begins at 10:30 a.m., is free and open to the public.
Maj. Gen. Todd Bunting, the adjutant general of Kansas, will give the keynote address during the ceremony. In addition to his address, events will include bagpipe music and patriotic music performed by the Girard High School band. There will also be a dedication for 78 new memorial pavers and the unveiling of a new computerized information kiosk to help find the names of veterans along the memorial wall.
Hull said the memorial is such a popular destination for tourists because of the history behind each veteran.
“There are so many stories out there,” he said. “People can come out here and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.”
Shuttle services
Parking will be available at the nearby Kansas Technology Center and Bicknell Sports Complex, with shuttle services provided.
