As the weather gets warmer, many Americans will head out to enjoy gardens and similar facilities near them, which might just contain a military memorial.
As the weather gets warmer, many Americans will head out to enjoy gardens and similar facilities near them, which might just contain a military memorial.
Aldridge Gardens Veterans Memorial Arbor and Pentagon Plaza, Hoover, Ala.: “A 30-acre public garden owned by the City of Hoover. The Gardens are on the former estate of Kay and Eddie Aldridge, a noted Birmingham nurseryman who patented the Snowflake Hydrangea. There is a 200' long arbor across the Aldridge Gardens lake dam. The arbor is punctuated in the middle with a plaza displaying five service branch flags and the American flag. The entrance to the arbor is flanked on one end by the Pentagon Plaza, a place where pavers may be engraved honoring or memorializing those who have served. The entrance to the Plaza is ‘guarded’ by busts of servicemembers who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the War on Terror.”
American Legion Memorial Garden, Pittsburgh: “Small concrete monument with bronze plaques on traffic island originally honoring those who served in World Wars I & II. Plaques were added later for Korea and Vietnam.”
Boone County Memorial Garden, Belvidere, Ill.: “Dedicated to all Boone County soldiers who died in all wars.”
Freedom Bridge and Gardens, Lakeville, N.Y.: “Located in Vitale Park. It honors five military branches of service, and there is a plaque stating that. The bridge leads to Freedom Point Park, a sub-park of Vitale. The bridge was built in 2005 with the funds donated by Richard and Mary Anne Palermo. It is maintained by the Town of Livonia Parks Department and local volunteers. The gardens were installed in 2005 on both sides of the bridge and are maintained by the Conesus Lake Garden Club with support from National Gardens Clubs, Inc. and Principal Financial Group. Both the bridge and gardens are in excellent condition.”
Veterans Memorial Garden, Sapulpa, Okla.: “Located in the southeast part of South Heights Cemetery. The memorial is like a church, with 10 metal benches on either side of a central aisle. A gray granite slab is located at the north end of the aisle on a white brick wall. Two flags, an American flag and a POW/MIA flag fly above a gray granite slab. The bottom of the gray granite slab has this inscription: ‘Old Glory I am the star spangled banner Conceived in 1777 out of the love America bore for liberty and honor. I am the memorial of countless heroes who Shed their blood to preserve this Sacred heritage. I have inspired generations of gallant men Who fought against tyranny. I am the spirit of Valley Forge Of sacrifice...of courage. I have guarded every rampart where freedom Defended its glorious cause Ttipoli...Belleau Wood...Argonne Forest Omaha Beach...Anzio...Bastogne Guadalcanal...Coral Sea Leyte Gulf...Iwo Jima...Korea Vietnam. I fly wherever Americans gave their lives to Preserve the sanctity of life. My home is in the hearts of all who feel a Thrill of pride when they salute me And what I symbolize - God, country, freedom, valor.’ On the white brick are three bronze shields: Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary Shield, American Legion and Auxiliary Shield, and Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Shield. Located in front of the white brick wall is a bronze Battle Cross, a rifle with a pair of combat boots and a helmet atop it. Its purpose is to show honor and respect for the fallen at the battle site. The practice started during the American Civil War, or maybe earlier, as a means of identifying the bodies on the battleground before they were removed. Behind the Battle Cross is a granite horizontal slab which is engraved with: ‘Pause you who pass by this memorial crypt and remember the sacrifice of life and of treasure that members of this community gave to our beloved nation. Herein are placed for eternity, mementos so that succeeding generations of Americans may forever remember the love and devotion we hold for old glory and all it stands for.’”
- Honor & Remembrance