Del City, Oklahoma Patriot Park Mausoleum

Approaching the Mausoleum, a low concrete wall is visible on the east side, along another walk leading to the structure. The wall displays 6 golden medallions representing, from viewing left to right, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Merchant Marine. A series of lights embedded in the walk throw light on the medallions at night. The Mausoleum display begins at the north end of the low wall. A court fronts the Mausoleum structure, with a large bronze plaque mounted on a low wall to the east (right), and 3 gray metal posts aligned to the west (left). The middle of the court and a concrete strip beneath the 3 posts on the west side, have been colored a rose-orange color. The wall-mounted bronze plaque to the east (right) names the Mausoleum, lists the date and time of the dedication as November 11, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., and recognizes city officials, corporate sponsors, organizations and individuals who helped establish the Mausoleum. The 3 metal posts on the west side each feature built-in lights which illuminate the court and the plaque. The Mausoleum structure is rectangular with a top that overhangs the front by some 6 feet. It is some 14 feet across the front, some 11 feet tall, and a bit over 6 feet deep from front to rear. The enclosed part of the structure has polished black granite on the front and side walls. The front wall is divided horizontally, some 3 ½ feet up from the base, and the granite is replaced by glass at the top. The glass is setback about a foot, and extends across the structure to the granite side walls, and up to the top of the structure. This permits frontal viewing of the interior of the Mausoleum. The rear and top of the structure are made of concrete and are tan in color. Narrow gaps between the black granite exterior side walls and both the tan concrete rear wall and top, have been filled with glass panels to permit ambient natural light into the interior. The interior has white walls and contains: an American Flag displayed vertically against the back wall; a series of 21 memorial plaques “In Honor and Memory” of veterans with their pictures, information regarding their birth and death dates, rank, Branch of Service, and the war period during which they served. War periods include World War II, Vietnam War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Global War on Terrorism). Also, prominently displayed is a mural, mounted front and center, on a casket, which is elevated by a supporting stand. The mural depicts Vietnam War scenes, including: a view of the Vietnam Wall with a soldier saluting, soldiers on patrol in a rice paddy, a soldier holding the high ground, a U.S. soldier carrying 2 Vietnamese children in his arms, 2 Vietnamese children in bamboo foliage, a helicopter air assault operation inserting troops in a landing zone, a smaller Navy river patrol boat (PBR) patrolling a “brown water” channel, an aircraft carrier launching aircraft, and another larger Navy fast patrol craft (PCF) or “Swift Boat” on an inland waterway. The casket also contains memorabilia that was left by visitors, during the exhibit of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall “The Wall That Heals” in Del City on July 15-17, 2005. The memorabilia is in tribute to veterans who paid the supreme sacrifice during the Vietnam War. In addition, an American Legion ceremonial wreath is displayed on the interior east wall of the Mausoleum. (Note: Del City is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, with a population of some 22,008 (2014), is part of the Greater Oklahoma City (OKC) Metropolitan Area, and borders southeast OKC, Midwest City, and Tinker Air Force Base.) (Note: Patriot Park is the site of annual Veterans Day Ceremonies in which Active and Reserve Component military units and individuals, Veteran Service Organizations, civic, governmental, and fraternal organizations, local businesses, citizens, youth groups, and veterans participate. The park is a very veteran-friendly environment. In addition, it provides reserved parking for combat wounded veterans visiting the facility.)