The Conquistador

Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: News

Media Credit: courtesy Rick Druse DCCC President Richard K. Burke speaks at last Wednesday's ceremony to dedicate the Fallen Warrior Memorial. Gen. Tod Bunting (left) and local businessman and pastor Jeff Hiers (right) as well as the Patriot Guard were also in attendance.

Media Credit: courtesy Rick Druse DCCC President Richard Burke delivers a speech dedicating the memorial for the three families of the DCCC graduates killed in battle and the onlookers.

Media Credit: courtesy Terry Perez Garcia A Patriot Guard motorcyclist rides toward The Fallen Warrior memorial.

The phrase "We shall never forget" has almost become synonymous with support for our armed forces. DC3 students and employees now have a constant reminder of what prices are being paid to protect and defend our country.
The Fallen Warrior Memorial stands between the Student Union and the Math/Science building and was erected to honor three former students and fallen warriors who attended DC3: U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin C. Morton; U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brian A. Escalante; and U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher R. Kruse.
The Battlefield Cross is the memorial's focal point and has a symbolic meaning that dates to the Civil War.
It symbolizes a fallen warrior and has been traditionally used on the battlefield as well as base camps. The rifle belonging to the warrior is pointed upside down and toward the ground. Atop the rifle is the helmet of the warrior; and the boots belonging to the warrior are at the base of the rifle, symbolizing a warrior's final march in the final battle of his or her life. It was originally used as a way to identify warriors who have fallen in the line of duty. Today, it is a way for living members of the troop to show respect immediately.
DCCC President Richard Burke, said this week that it so important that we erect this memorial to honor and respect the three students and their families who have given their lives for our freedoms.
Last Wednesday, DC3 held a ceremony to dedicate the memorial. Burke had a few words to say regarding the warriors who gave their lives for our country.
"We are so very fortunate," Burke said. "To have brave young men and women who serve our nation in the country and overseas so that we may continue to enjoy the many blessings we have in our various walks of life."
There were several guests of honors at the service including: State Rep. Pat George, State Sen. Tim Huelskamp, Gen. Frank Scroggins, Gen. Tod Bunting, representatives from the Kansas Board of Regents, community leaders representing business, government education, and society.
But Burke said that the true guests of honor were the 29 family members in attendance.
The true guests of honor that we pay tribute to are the family members," Burke said at the ceremony, "the fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters and relatives who are with us today. You have paid the ultimate sacrifice You honor us by being here today. We thank you."
U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback could not attend the ceremony, but both wrote statements for the dedication.
Roberts said that when he wrote to the families of the three students he said that words seemed inadequate and that he still believes that.
As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I feel the loss of these three comrades personally," Roberts' statement read. "All of our hearts go out to the families. These three American heroes, Lance Cpl. Brian Escalante, Sgt. Christopher Kruse, and Sgt. Benjamin Morton represent the price our country is paying for this protection.
"These three young Americans and their families are in God's warm embrace. May that same God continue to embrace and bless the great land of the United States of America."
Brownback's statement said that we must always remind ourselves that when we choose to enjoy our freedoms, we are accepting the sacred obligation to support freedom but also those who choose to defend it.
"There can be no doubt that (these three warriors) understood this obligation," Brownback's statement said. "They dedicated their lives to its fulfillment. Their families, some of whom join you here today, have made great sacrifices to support its fulfillment."
Burke said the Patriot Guard was also in attendance, and its members created a great scene for the families by circling their motorcycles behind the memorial and holding American flags.
"I think it's important that we respect and honor our three students and we do so in a way that is fitting to them," Burke said. "I believe that they sacrificed their lives and their family members for us, for our freedoms. We need to honor them; we had 29 family members from all the country who came to honor their loved ones. Some came from as far as Washington."
Burke said that he designed this memorial to last and still pay tribute to our warriors.
"I believe that 20-30 years from now, the memorial will still be fitting; it's lasting," Burke said.
Burke said that the decisions he made for the memorial were based on each of the warriors. There are three benches, each with their own plaque with one of the names of the fallen warriors. The benches were welded by DC3 welding instructor Tim Burns.
Burke said that in the unwanted situation of more of our students giving their lives in the line of duty, there is enough room to honor them as well.
"The memorial is an octagon shape; we would add more benches in at least three areas -which I truly hope we don't need them," Burke said. "But we can also put more benches along the walkway."
Burke said that he wanted the memorial to be distinguishable; he didn't want it to just blend in with the sidewalk that surrounds it. He wanted the walkway leading up the rose colored center to be close to the color of the bricks on the buildings, and the center to be the same color as the rooftops.
Burke said that there are so many people to thank for making this memorial and the dedication ceremony possible: the DCCC Foundation, the DCCC Student Government Association, Brak-Hard Concrete, DCCC Physical Plant employees, welding instructor Burns, Patriot Guard members and Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard members.
He also said that the majority of this memorial has been paid for by contributors and SGA donations.

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