Fort Scott in Bourbon County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

"I'm not leaving"

Carl Wilkens (1957-present)

— Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes —

"I'm not leaving" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026

1. "I'm not leaving" Marker

Inscription.
"I'm not leaving," Unsung Hero Carl Wilkens said these words and stood by them, as the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi was beginning in April of 1994. All foreigners were ordered to leave Rwanda, Africa, but Carl stayed. He was the only American to stay in Rwanda during the 100-day genocide. Over 800,000 Rwandans died. Carl's brave choices and the help of his Rwandan colleagues ended up saving the lives of hundreds, including over 400 children living in orphanages.

In the spring of 1990, Carl Wilkens and his young family moved to Rwanda, where Carl was a humanitarian aid worker. When the genocide broke out in 1994, Carl made the life-altering decision to send his family to another country while he remained. Carl would venture out each day into the streets of the capital city, Kigali, while crackling mortars and gunfire could be heard all around him. In order to bring food, water, and medicine to groups of orphans trapped around the city, Carl worked his way through roadblocks of angry, bloodstained soldiers and civilians armed with machetes and assault rifles.

Since returning to the United States in 1996, Wilkens

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has emphasized the importance of educating the world about what happened in Rwanda. His focus is on building bridges of peace with those who are considered "the other." Carl Wilkens shares his experiences with teachers and students around the globe and also takes groups of educators to Rwanda to visit memorials and sites described in his stories. He and his wife have continued their humanitarian work in Rwanda, helping to repair the emotional and physical tragedy of the genocide. Wilkens' ongoing commitment to respect, empathy, and inclusion makes him a powerful role model for all.

Carl Wilkens reminds us of the impact our personal choices and actions have in the face of injustice. While his story may be historically unsung for many, the courage he displayed was truly that of a hero. We can entertain complacency or we can stand up for the vulnerable and marginalized in our own communities and around the world. Ask yourself, "What decisions and choices do I make every day that impact those around me? Am I aware of the ripple effect I create?"

"My destiny is tied to yours whether or not we ever meet."
Carl Wilkens

Erected by Lowell

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026

2. "I'm not leaving" Marker

Marker is on the far left of the three

Milken Center for Unsung Heroes.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Wars, Non-US. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1994.

Location. 37° 50.483′ N, 94° 42.347′ W. Marker is in Fort Scott, Kansas, in Bourbon County. It can be reached from South Main Street south of East Wall Street. Marker is located in the courtyard behind the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7 S Main St, Fort Scott KS 66701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kansas and specifically in Bleeding Kansas Border War Country.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "She Outranks Me" (here, next to this marker); For All the Children/Para Todos Los Ninos (here, next to this marker); a different

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 21, 2026

3. Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

marker also named "She Outranks Me" (a few steps from this marker); The Unbreakable Code (a few steps from this marker); Rising Against All Odds (a few steps from this marker); WWII Navajo Code Talker (a few steps from this marker); Jurassic Mary (a few steps from this marker); The Man Who Saved a Billion Lives (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Scott.

Also see . . .
1. Carl Wilkens on Wikipedia. Sources also cite 1958 as his birth year. (Submitted on October 12, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

2. Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes (official website). (Submitted on October 12, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.