Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama Veterans Memorial

The Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial, officially dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011, honors and pays tribute to all veterans for their "Courage", "Sacrifice", and call to "Duty”. Sacred geometry was used to determine the placement of eight polished black granite markers engraved with the names of over 365 Madison County servicemen who made the supreme sacrifice for their country. The granite markers are arranged along a timeline to accurately illustrate the United States' involvement in military conflicts around the world. The memorial fountain system begins with water cascading over the continuous weir, symbolizing the blood which has been spilled defending our nation's freedom. The flow of water is punctuated by the granite markers and pours into the Sacrifice Pool, the Courage Pool, and the Defender Fountain. As a visitor stands at the granite marker, facing their own reflection, water falls over the weir on each side producing a gentle sound reminding them of the great sacrifice made for our freedom. The small white headstones in the Defender Fountain are replicas of those in Arlington National Cemetery and represent all of our fallen warriors. Water streams through the Defender Fountain into the pentagon shaped Freedom Fountain, thus providing a contained circular flow. The impressive rise and fall of water from the Freedom Fountain reminds us that this is a living tribute to all veterans and gives the sense of life, liberty and freedom springing forth from a grateful community. Anchoring the memorial at each end of the circular fountain are bronze statues depicting "Sacrifice" and "Courage". The models for these statues are all Madison County combat veterans. Through the left portal leading to the POW/MIA flag is the Eternal Flame perpetually burning in remembrance of all those who died, were imprisoned, and remain missing in war. In the right portal leading to the Alabama flag is a Time Capsule, in which veterans have placed personal artifacts, letters, and items reminiscent of their service and the wars they fought. It will be disinterred on November 11, 2062. The U.S. Flag, which represents "Duty", reminds us all of the serviceman's commitment to defend and serve under her. Continuing beyond the U.S. Flag is the Patriots Walkway. This Walkway features a series of 7 kiosks, dedicated to educating young and old alike about our nation’s wars and the citizen soldiers that fought those wars, beginning with the Revolutionary War. The main intent of these informational panels is to help readers gain an appreciation for the high price that has been paid to achieve freedom and liberty throughout our nation’s history. Along the Patriots Walkway is the Battlefield Memorial Walkway, featuring five plaques along the winding walkway that discuss the meaning of the Battlefield Memorial and serve as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by so many on battlefields around the globe. As you travel the pathway and reflect on the meaning of this solemn place, you are taken to the highest point of the park, the entrance to the Battlefield Memorial, where you will find the final plaque, a poem in remembrance of the fallen warrior. Just beyond, you will find the Battlefield Memorial, a symbolic representation for the fallen soldier. This space offers a somber area to mourn and honor those that died serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. It is a place set aside to remember the fallen, pay tribute to their sacrifice and the sacrifice of their loved ones. Continuing along the Patriots Walkway, you will find the Aviator Statue. This U.S. Armed Forces Aviator, sculpted by local artist Dan Burch and modeled after the likeness of Marine Captain James N. “Trey” Wilbourn III, Huntsville’s only casualty of the Persian Gulf War, pays tribute to all U.S. Armed Forces Aviators for their courage, duty and sacrifice in defense of our nation and way of life. At the base of the Patriots Walkway you will find the Revolutionary War Monument. This 8 ft, 3 ton monument, dedicated to the 84 Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried in Madison County, was relocated to the Huntsville Veterans Memorial park in October 2016. Originally standing on the north side of the Madison County Courthouse Square, until the old courthouse was razed in the late 1960s, the Revolutionary War Monument had many homes and, to the delight of the Twickenham Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has appropriately found its final resting place in the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial. The Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2011. The dedication, held on a beautiful morning at 11:00 AM, was attended by approximately 1,000 Government leaders, dignitaries and guests. Along with the main Veterans Memorial, the park contains a number of smaller Memorials and points of interest. Using the following links, we invite you to take a walking tour of the park and learn more about the Memorials, and more importantly, the men and women who sacrificed so much and paid such a great price, so that we can enjoy our freedoms and liberties today. The tour begins at the Monroe Street entrance with the Entry Plaque and a description of the Memorial. Each page will guide you to the next Memorial, or use the links to select an individual Memorial: • Entrance • "Sacrifice" Statue and Pool • "Courage" Statue and Pool • Timeline of All Wars • Black Granite Markers • Medal of Honor • Memorial Fountain System • Flags • Eternal Flame and Patriotism Portal • Time Capsule and Citizenship Portal • Legacy Brick Walkway • Patriot's Walkway • Purple Heart Monument • Battlefield Walkway and Memorial • Aviator Statue • Revolutionary War Monument