PLAINVILLE – “Remembering Our Fallen,” a national traveling display in honor and memory of those military personnel who have died in the line of duty, in training, and as a result of PTSD since 9-11, will be in Plainville, Kan. October 18-20, 2019.

This will be the first time since the debut of the national display at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2017, this basketball court-sized pictorial display has traveled this far west of Kansas City in the state of Kansas.

This traveling memorial originated with Bill and Evonne Williams, Omaha, Neb., the parents of four sons who have voluntarily served in the military. Their hope is to preserve the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Nebraska couple were inspired to develop this project after reading an article in the Omaha World-Herald about the father of Sgt. Joshua Ford. The younger Ford had died in Iraq and his father’s pain and grief were greater even after four years had passed. There was the fear his son would be forgotten. This display is an attempt preserve and honor the memory of those soldiers.

“We were in Philadelphia for the Army-Navy football game this last fall and just happened to walk past this display at Independence National Park,” explained Sheila (Selbe) Hachmeister.

Sheila and her husband Ken of rural Natoma have two sons serving in the military. Jared is a 2017 graduate of the United States Naval Academy currently stationed in Pensacola. Seth is currently a West Point cadet at the United States Military Academy.

“When we entered the display and realized exactly what was represented, we were so moved,” Sheila said.

“We found Bryan Nichols’ picture, a local hero who is on the towers, and then several West Point Cadets. It just touched us.” (Hays native Nichols Bryan Nichols, a 1998 graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian High School, was killed August 6, 2011, one of 30 American troops killed in Afghanistan when their  Chinook helicopter was shot down.)

Sheila, in true Selbe spirit, asked questions about the display and gathered information, knowing this would be a display and project perfectly aligned with Plainville’s tradition of honoring our military.

With information gathered, she enlisted the help of her sisters, Susan Stahl and Lora Weigel, along with members of the Plainville Ambassador Club to pursue discussion concerning the viability of this project becoming a reality in Plainville. Soon Sheila’s passion for this project spread among the core group of organizers.

Since the first of several meetings, funding is being secured and Plainville now appears on the national tour schedule, October 17-20, 2019.

The display will arrive in Plainville on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 17 escorted by the American Legion Patriot Riders. With the help of local volunteers, along with the fire department and high school organizations, the display will be assembled at Andreson Memorial Park, adjacent to U.S. 183. The display will be admission free 24/7 until it is disassembled Sunday afternoon, October 20, again by volunteers.

Families who have lost their soldier have been designated as “Gold Star” families. To date more than 80 Kansas families have felt and share these losses. The display contains the photos of more than 5,000 soldiers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. A Gold Star mother accompanies the display throughout the national tour and is available to answer questions.

CW2 Bryan Nichols, with Palco connections, is among those soldiers honored. Nichols’ parents, Doug and Cynthia Nichols, live in Palco.

The opening ceremony for the display will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 18 at Andreson Park. Kansas Gold Star families will be honored guests. Personnel from Fort Riley, Kansas Army National Guard, along with national, state, and local officials will be among recognized guests. Students from Rooks County and surrounding school districts will be invited to tour the display. VFW and American Legion Posts, and National Guard armories within the state will be contacted with regional and state promotion of this display. Organizers are anticipating more than 1,000 to several thousand individuals taking advantage of the national display in this portion of Kansas.

There will be both guided and self-guided tours. Parking for the event will available at the school and pre-designated areas in the community with shuttle service available. Restrooms and seating will be provided on site. Students will be available to assist individuals with mobility needs.

Additional details concerning specifics of the ceremony and the events of the three-day display will be made public nearer to the date. Plans have been made in the event of inclement weather to move the display, ceremony and all events to the Plainville High School gymnasium.

Specifics concerning the national display can be found at patriotproductions.org.

Local information may be found through Plainville Ambassador Club Facebook page, or by emailing [email protected]. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. A hospitality tent will be available to Gold Star families. If anyone is interested in helping supply refreshments or help with the purchase of beverages your help is certainly welcome. Stop by and visit with us at our booth at the Rooks County Free Fair, August 11-17 in Stockton.

The Plainville Community has long been known for honoring those who have served our country. The Plainville Ambassador Club (PAC), an organization formed out of the 1988 Plainville Centennial celebration, has and continues to spearhead numerous veteran-related events throughout the year on an annual basis.

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