KC Vietnam Veteran calls attention to war memorial in disrepair

Art Fillmore helped establish the memorial in 1985, calling for action on fountains, concrete, light

Art Fillmore helped establish the memorial in 1985, calling for action on fountains, concrete, light

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Art Fillmore helped establish the memorial in 1985, calling for action on fountains, concrete, light

Art Fillmore says conditions at Kansas City, Missouri's Vietnam Veterans memorial are not acceptable.

Fillmore, a decorated Vietnam veteran, helped establish the memorial in 1985. Nearly 40 years later, Fillmore says the memorial, at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dr. and Broadway Blvd. near the Plaza, needs significant repairs to concrete, a sidewalk light, and the fountains and pools onsite.

"It's like sacrilege to me to treat one of Kansas City's most beautiful memorials and leave it in disrepair," he said.

Kansas City's Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for upkeep.

Fillmore said he called the department the week before this year's Memorial Day ceremony after he drove by and noticed the fountains were not flowing.

Fillmore said a worker on the phone told him his concerns would be passed along.

He tried to call again on the Saturday before the ceremony, but the office was closed, he said.

VIDEO OF MEMORIAL'S CONDITION:

A city spokeswoman said she was checking into what happened after Fillmore's call. She also encouraged anyone with concerns with the city to call directly to 311 or use the myKCMO app.

"There are options to report issues with fountains, general maintenance, or concerns, and a number of other possibilities," said spokeswoman Sherae Honeycutt. "This is the best first step to directly put in a request for crews to make necessary repairs."

Fillmore said this year's Memorial Day ceremony was the smallest he remembered. "There was an air of despair because of the way the park looked," he said.

Fillmore, after the ceremony, contacted KMBC.

After KMBC contacted Honeycutt on Tuesday afternoon, a city crew came out to work at the memorial Wednesday morning. KMBC noticed grass cut and power washing inside the pools of the fountain. Honeycutt called the work "regular maintenance," not directly because of KMBC's contact.

In a statement she also said, "The City of Kansas City has the utmost respect for all people who serve and have served our country. We are grateful for their sacrifice and dedication to the safety and betterment of our nation."

Honeycutt said a pump for the fountain failed in March and was ordered right away. She said the pump is on order for scheduled repair at the beginning of July. She also said light on the sidewalk to the fountain would be repaired in the next few days.

Honeycutt also said city staff is looking into the cost for repairs to concrete on the fountain; saying funding would need to come through the city's Public Improvements Advisory Committee. Last year the city received more than 830 applications for funding through the committee and spent more than $30 million for repairs to city projects.

Honeycutt said residents can apply for the funding and city council members can advocate and assist.

Fillmore said he wants Kansas City to see the needs at the memorial and act quickly

"This is the first problem we've ever had, but it was really painful this year," Fillmore said. "This place is sacred to many people."