The Wall That Heals provided a temporary memorial to Vietnam veterans as it made its way through Barton County and Great Bend last May. In December 2023, a small committee of Vietnam veterans approached the Great Bend City Council about installing a permanent memorial at Veterans Memorial Park. Over the weekend, the first pieces of the 50-foot memorial were installed on the north side of the lake. Larry Parsons, a Vietnam veteran and member of the committee, has been pleased with the progress.