Vandalized World War I tribute in Kansas City’s historic northeast restored

A 1921 tribute to fallen World War I veterans in Kansas City’s historic northeast neighborhood was recently restored.

The Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department replaced commemorative plaques that went missing from the American Legion Memorial Drinking Fountain earlier this year.

The missing plaques were replaced with near-exact replicas.

“I found some photos and came out and measured the space and just wanted to make sure that I was true to the original as far as how it looked and the feel of it,” said Ken Wheatley, a local sculptor and Veteran who created the replica plaques.

The monument is located at the intersection of Van Brunt Boulevard and Budd Park Esplanade in the historic northeast.

Installed in 1921, the pedestal fountain features two plaques that illustrate soldiers on one side and sailors on the other.

In April, community members noticed the plaques missing from the fountain and made a 311 report.

“I know there’s been a lot of theft of plaques around the city, but to just steal something that’s of a historical value, not necessarily thinking about money or anything, but thinking about the historical value, the significance to veterans, the significance to the neighborhood – it’s kind of disappointing that someone would do that,” said Sarah Kaldenberg, who lives nearby. “This was more than just metal; this is representing people’s lives and their sacrifice.”

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