Olathe in Johnson County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Home For Christmas
1970 - 1972
— [Vietnam Veterans Memorial] —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 1, 2013
1. Home For Christmas Marker
Olathe captured the attention of the nation, and of the world, in 1970, 1971 and 1972, with four fund-raising drives to provide holiday furloughs for 28 Olathe servicemen then stationed in the Vietnam war zone.
Olathe was the first community in the nation to show such an organized support of its servicemen.
With pride in our community, this plaque is dedicated to honor all Olatheans who served their country during the Vietnam War.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 38° 53.03′ N, 94° 49.19′ W. Marker is in Olathe, Kansas, in Johnson County. Memorial is at the intersection of Santa Fe Drive and Cherry Street, on the right when traveling west on Santa Fe Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 West Santa Fe Drive, Olathe KS 66061, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. R.R. Osborne Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial Time Capsule (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Santa Fe Trail (about 600 feet away); Children of the Trails (about 700 feet away); President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Makes a Whistle-stop in Olathe (about 700
this page online
Also see . . . Harry LeRoy Welch (1919-3013). Find A Grave website entry:
During his term as mayor, he organized nationally recognized two-week furloughs for Vietnam Servicemen, paid for through public donations. (Submitted on January 7, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 1, 2013
2. Home For Christmas Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., September 1, 2013
3. Home For Christmas Marker Detail
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 15, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
