Joco Today

On Friday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas spoke at Fort Riley during the dedication ceremony for the base’s new Gold Star Family Memorial. The event took place as part of Gold Star Family Weekend and brought together families who have lost loved ones in military service.

The memorial features 13,578 names engraved on granite, representing men and women from the 1st Infantry Division who died while serving the United States. The First Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One, is recognized as the oldest continuously serving division in the U.S. Army, having been established on May 24, 1917.

During his speech, Senator Marshall addressed both the families present and members of the military community: “Good afternoon, everyone. It’s an honor to stand here before you today under this vast Kansas sky with no wind blowing, as we dedicate a monument that stands as a Silent Sentinel to the fallen heroes of the First Infantry Division, the legendary Big Red One.”

He expressed gratitude to those whose relatives are among those commemorated: “To those of you whose cherished loved ones are etched among the 13,578 names on this granite testament, thank you. Your quiet strength and unwavering support made it possible for them to charge into the fray, running towards the sound of the battle, defending the freedoms we hold dear.”

Senator Marshall referenced former Kansas Senator Bob Dole in his remarks: “Let me borrow some wisdom from Kansas giant Senator Bob Dole, who once captured the essence perfectly. This is what Senator Dole said: ‘What we dedicate today is not a memorial to war, rather, it’s a tribute to the physical and moral courage that makes heroes out of farm and city kids and inspires Americans in every generation to lay down their lives for people they will never meet and for ideas that make life itself worth living.’”

Marshall recounted key moments in 1st Infantry Division history from World War I through modern conflicts including Vietnam, Desert Storm, Bosnia and Kosovo peacekeeping missions, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan operations between 2008-2013, and recent deployments related to Operation Inherent Resolve.

He emphasized that monuments like this serve as lasting reminders: “Monuments like this are eternal storytellers, whispering lessons of courage to generations yet and born. Behold, very soon the six-foot slab of midnight black granite inscribed with the toll of duty, Americans’ bold sons and daughters who offer ideas that ignite the human spirit.”

Marshall also acknowledged contributions from organizations such as the Manhattan Community Foundation in making this memorial possible.

Concluding his remarks with references to scripture and national figures such as President Eisenhower—“‘I hate war as only a soldier who’s lived it can. Only as one who’s seen its brutality, its futility and its stupidity.’”—Marshall called for continued support for military families.

“We hope this monument, this memorial, will serve as a reminder for all of us to live a life worthy of their life and your sacrifice,” he said.

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