EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON Kan. — The City of Hutchinson lit an eternal flame on Friday at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in the Salt City. The monument and eternal flame is located at First and Walnut.
The eternal flame is to symbolize gratitude for the nation's veterans. The flame is lit inside a small lantern in front of the monument and faces First. The project was completed in collaboration with the Kansas Gas Service and the City of Hutchinson Parks and Facilities Department.
Director of Parks and Facilities Justin Combs said there was some advance work that needed to be taken care of to complete the project. This included a new quarter of an inch gas line that runs up to the flame.
"We did not have gas in the middle of the island or in the middle of First Street," Combs said at the ceremony. "That was the first step, to see if we could even get gas here. The gas line they tapped into is actually behind the church, so they had to run a new service line down the sidewalk into the street, into the meter right here behind me."
Vice Mayor Greg Fast was present for the ceremony and said the monument that the flame is displayed in front of was dedicated in 1919 and honors soldiers and sailors who served in World War I.
"Thank you veterans," Fast said to those in attendance. "That's the reason that we can have streets and roads and live in a free country so again, collaboration is the key here."
Community Relations Manager Lauren Clary of Kansas Gas Service said the eternal flame is a symbol of eternal gratitude for veterans.
"At Kansas Gas Service, we believe in serving the community not only by delivering reliable and affordable natural gas, but also by actively participating in initiatives that honor and support our veterans and service members," Clary said. "It's a small token of our appreciation for their service and sacrifice to preserve our nation's freedom."
A ribbon cutting also took place after the the eternal flame was lit. Members of the American Legion Post 68 and community members also attended the ceremony.
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