PARSONS, Kan. (KOAM) - A project that started back in 2004 at the Parsons High School Tech Center is now being used to raise funds for a new veteran's memorial.
The project to create a 3/4 scale military Humvee was created by tech center teacher Bruce Rea.
"Way back 2002. When I interviewed for this position, I mentioned to the administration and the school board that it'd be kind of neat to have a school wide project [] We didn't know what the project was going to be, but when I left the office, I glanced over and seen the Humvees and they're kind of iconic. So we toss that idea around [] At that time, General Motors had purchased the rights to the H2, and there's a commercial [] And initially, it was a middle school kid and they built a Humvee in that commercial and it was a promotional thing for the H2. And when I seen that on TV, it was like, That's it. So let's take it to a different level," said Rea.
The Humvee was built over the course of two decades with over 800 students directly involved. The Humvee is built on a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker chassis, it's electric, street legal and can hit 55 miles per hour. The project was finished just before the Covid-19 pandemic.
During that time Bruce created another project for his students.
"When we started teaching classes online at home. One of the first projects that I gave my students was to sketch up ideas for the memorial and when we came back to class, I hadn't really at that time thought about donating the Humvee to the project. But we went to work on the project. And then probably a year ago, I realized that, you know, all of our time is on other projects and not the Humvee. And it just seemed like there might be a good fit here to go ahead and donate that to the cause," said Rea.
The total estimated cost of the memorial will be around $320,000. A third of which has already been raised but according to Pathways of Freedom Representative Carl Johnson, the donation and work put in but Bruce and his students will only further guarantee that the memorial gets built.
"I can't say enough for Bruce and his classroom. You know, they've put, you know, what I say, their heart and soul into it, you know. And when this is done, it'll be because of them," said Johnson.
When the Humvee project started in 2004 Bruce said there were four goals. 1. Motivate Students to learn, 2. Create a campus and community wide joint project, 3. Create Relationships with local industry, 4. Create real world assignments.
The project was able to secure help from multiple organizations, it was financially supported by USD 502, Parsons Area Community Foundation grant, John & Bonnie Latzer endowment, Westar energy grant and the Walmart grant. The total amount of donations came out to approximately $65,000.
Thirteen manufacturers with in the Southeast Kansas Region helped with production time and materials. Most notably Magnum Systems and Neodesha Plastics.
Molds created by construction trade students, faculty, Pittsburg State University and Neodesha High School were also built to assist with the project.
The local Army Reserve reportedly loaned an actual military Humvee several time to assist with the project.
Bruce says that despite the Humvee being 3/4 the size his goal was to make the exterior as visual accurate as possible all the way down to the rivet placement.
The chapter of the Humvee project has come to it's conclusion but it will now serve to further benefit the community by raising funds for the future veterans memorial.
"We're about a third of the way there, you know, but you know, something like this and put us over the hump, that's for sure," said Johnson.
At this time it is unknown how the Humvee will be auctioned off.
Way to go. What you have done with so many students for all of these years will stay in their lives and hearts forever and to all who are serving our great nation in all forms will be proud of you all forever. USAF Veteran.
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