How the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall Works

Updated

The Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall is a permanent installation and online database at the Dole Institute of Politics that honors Kansas veterans past and present. You can explore the database of veterans who served in World War II and later conflicts, and you can submit a veteran profile to be added to the collection. The Dole Institute describes the project as continuing Senator Bob Dole's commitment to honoring Kansas veterans.

What the Memory Wall Is

The wall combines two things:

  • A permanent physical installation at the Dole Institute's Museum & Galleries in Lawrence, Kansas.
  • An expanded online database containing thousands of veterans who served the country in World War II and conflicts since.

The museum itself is named by Tripadvisor as one of the top attractions in Lawrence, and the Memory Wall sits alongside other permanent and rotating exhibits, including an architectural-scale stained-glass American flag and a September 11 memorial.

Who Can Be Submitted

The project is framed around Kansas veterans — past and present. The Dole Institute's own description invites anyone with a story to tell: "Everyone has a story to tell. Share yours today." If you are submitting on behalf of a veteran, the profile is meant to record that person's service so it can be included in the database and, where applicable, the installation.

How to Submit a Veteran Profile

  1. Go to the Dole Institute website and locate the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall section.
  2. Choose the option to submit a veteran profile.
  3. Provide the veteran's details and service information through the submission form.
  4. Submit the profile for inclusion in the database.

The site presents submission and exploration as two sides of the same feature: you can "submit a veteran profile today and explore the Dole Institute's full database."

How to Explore the Database

The full database is available through the same Memory Wall section of the site. Visitors can search and browse records of veterans who served in World War II and later conflicts. The physical installation at the museum lets guests explore the wall in person, while the online database extends that access beyond Lawrence.

Practical Notes Before You Visit or Submit

  • Location: The Museum & Galleries are at the Dole Institute of Politics, which hosts the Memory Wall as a permanent installation.
  • What else is there: Rotating special exhibits, the stained-glass American flag, the September 11 memorial, and permanent displays on Senator Bob Dole's life and legacy.
  • Timing: The Dole Institute also runs public programming — upcoming events listed on its site include a Ft. Leavenworth Series talk, a Dole Forum on constitutional structure, and a midterm elections preview — so you can combine a museum visit with an event.
  • Submissions: The site does not state a deadline or eligibility restriction beyond the Kansas veterans focus, so check the submission page for any current requirements before sending a profile.

If your goal is to honor a specific veteran, the submission form is the direct route. If your goal is research or browsing, the online database is the place to start.