Wichita, Kansas - The Veterans Memorial Park is in a tranquil setting along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita.
But some veterans are calling it sacred ground -- a place where they can go to remember those who put on the uniform of the United States. And veterans are planning a 1,000-soldier march on City Hall to protest a proposed Vietnamese soldier memorial that will go on the same site.
"This park should only be dedicated to the servicemen and women that served in the U.S. armed forces," said Veteran Jon Wilson.
Wilson says the protesters respect the South Vietnamese soldiers and all they did during the conflict in Vietnam, but says the park should remain uniquely American. And he's not alone.
"The vast majority of them object to any foreign national being commemorated in this park," said Linda Kirby an active U.S. soldier activist.
City council member, Janet Miller, says a multi-national memorial is an idea whose time has come.
"I don't see that a person from another country is unholy or degrading in any way to an American military person," Miller said.
Miller says the council is keeping an open mind, and has heard extensively from U.S. soldiers and the Vietnamese community.
The protesters say they will be active until their voice is heard, and the proposed Vietnamese soldier memorial is moved to another place, away from the U.S. memorial site.
A final city council vote is expected in July.
City officials are trying to get both sides to sit down and reach a compromise next week.
