The city of Hot Springs recently raised a flag at DeSoto Park in memory of a late veteran.
The flag had been draped over the coffin of Walter Louis Baran, the brother of John Baran, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Hot Springs Chapter 436. Walter Baran died in November. The city's Parks & Trails Department raised the flag at the request of John Baran.
Walter Baran, an Army veteran, served during World War II and the Korean conflict. John Baran also served in the Army and was wounded in the Philippines during World War II at age 19, the city said in a news release.
"At the base of the flagpole, purple plants grace a heart-shaped garden. A few steps away, a 93,000-pound M-60 battle tank stands silently as a memorial to all United States veterans. The tank was used in Korea and Vietnam before being acquired by the Military Order of the Purple Heart and dedicated on Veterans Day, 1992. MOPH is a nationwide organization of combat wounded veterans," the release said.
Baran worked with the city, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army, Arkansas National Guard and members of Arkansas' congressional delegation to acquire the tank and underwrite, sponsor and adopt it as a permanent memorial, with support from Parks & Trails.
In front of the tank, a bronze plaque reads: "DEDICATED TO PEACE -- In honor of all United States Veterans of all military actions who served this great nation in the preservation of liberty, justice, freedom, and the pursuit of peace throughout the world."
DeSoto Park, the city's oldest park, is located on Highway 7 near Gulpha Gorge Road, a gateway to downtown Hot Springs.
Local on 07/04/2016