October 21, 2008 –
MAYETTA: A ceremony was performed yesterday by We-Ta-Se American Legion Post #410 to recognize a M110A2 Howitzer military cannon that has been placed on the common land. The cannon will sit in front of the We-TA-Se building on K Road as a historic memorial display to veterans of war.
The ceremony began at 12:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Prairie Band Casino & Resort where the cannon was staged before it was transported to its final resting place. A group of American Legion riders, PBP Emergency Services personnel and We-Ta-Se members all escorted the cannon on 150 Road west to U.S. Highway 75 north and then back west on 158 Road to K Road. The entourage then turned south and ended their journey in front of We-Ta-Se headquarters. Shortly thereafter, the cannon was moved on to the display pad by a PBPN Road & Bridge crew and a military ceremony followed. Several tribal members, PBPN employees and invited military veterans attended the event. Topeka television stations also covered the event which appeared on their newscasts last night.
The 62,600 cannon was transported last week by the PBPN Public Works Department who picked up the weapon from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command Center in Warren, Michigan.
The cannon was purchased by the U.S. Army in 1963. It was designed to provide medium-range, general artillery fire during the Vietnam War and could fire a 200 pound 8 inch projectile for a maximum range of 20 miles. It was built by Bowen-McLauchlin-York of York, Pennsylvania.