By Kathy Feist
Gary Swanson had spent 20 years recording over a thousand war stories from area World War II veterans for the Library of Congress. He retired from that volunteer job in 2020.
Still, he felt there was more he could do to honor veterans.
Five years ago, he and other Leawood residents and organizations began pushing for a memorial in their hometown–one to honor all veterans.
“They defended our freedom,” said Swanson. “It’s important.
In December of 2024, the City of Leawood gave final approval for the construction of the veterans memorial in front of City Hall. It was named the Leawood Veterans Memorial Plaza.
The campaign to raise money for the memorial kicked off on May 17th during an Armed Forces Day celebration in front of City Hall.
The Veterans Memorial Plaza will be privately funded through the Leawood Foundation. (The City will be responsible for constructing ADA-compliant sidewalks and parking around the Plaza.)
So far the campaign has raised $100,000.
“We are a third of our way to goal,” says April Bishop, Chairman of the Leawood Historic Commission.
That goal is $350,000.
“That seems like a tremendous amount, but we felt it was important to make the memorial look as nice as possible,” says Bishop. “We want Leawood to be proud of it.”
The memorial will replace the brick wall that currently fronts three flag poles at City Hall. Replacing it will be a black granite panel with six 18-inch bronze military seals representing the six military branches. The flags will remain.
Flanking the panel will be two six-foot-tall granite pillars that will have the etched names of those who have contributed to the memorial.
The cost for an etched name ranges from $1000 to $10,000.
“It is a great legacy gift for a father, brother, son or daughter who served in the military,” says Bishop.
Donations can be made by anyone, including corporations. The higher the contribution, the higher the name appears on the pillar.
So far, there are around 20 names.
More are needed.
Several local organizations are working toward that goal, including the Historic Commission, the newly formed Veterans Memorial Group and local Lions Club, Rotary Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Leawood Welcomers and Boy Scout troops.
Bishop maintains that Leawood, like many suburbs, exists because of veterans.
“The majority of people who first lived in Leawood were World War II veterans,” she says. “They were looking for homes for their families.”
Currently there are an estimated 1,500 veterans that live in Leawood.
When the memorial is completed, those veterans and their families will have a place to gather to observe military holidays and reunite with others.
The Veterans Memorial Plaza will also serve as an educational space for programs similar to the one held on Armed Forces Day. Visitors were able to view a Vietnam War Huey helicopter, Korean War jeep and other artifacts.
When Swanson traveled across Kansas and Missouri to interview World War II veterans, he discovered many cities with memorials for those in the military. But not Leawood.
“I hope we get it going,” said the 92-year-old historian. “We have a lot of money to raise.”
For more information or to make a donation, visit leawoodveteransmemorial.org.