By Ryan Duey

The U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division Monument added 631 names of soldiers killed in action during a rededication ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and Armed Forces Community Foundation sent 12 Gold Star families from the Fort Riley-based division to the ceremony. Sen. Roger Marshall, instrumental in expanding the monument, accompanied the families and gave them a tour during Memorial Day Weekend.

The 100-year-old monument, originally honoring Big Red One soldiers who died in World War I, now includes those from recent conflicts like Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Retired Lt. Gen. Ronald Watts praised Marshall’s involvement, while Maj. Gen. John Meyer highlighted the sacrifice represented by the 13,578 names.

Among the attendees was Sierra Herring, a Gold Star family, whose husband Spc. Joseph Lister died in combat in November of 2023 and expressed honor at being part of the ceremony.