Veterans Memorial Park

The bronze W.W I doughboy was the first statue in the park. (Recently celebrated its 75th birthday at the park) It was donated by the Captain WM Hendricks Chapter Daughters of American Revolution in 1936. He has just been redone for the third time. 

Viet Nam War – 1982 – The first
privately owned Viet Nam monument
east of the Mississippi River.

World War II – 1983 – Rock Of Ages cut the main column three times before they got one perfect piece.

Korean War – November 1983 – Winter Storm, design is rugged like Korea.  This monument is the 1^st or 2^nd in the nation.  It is 15 tons and cost $10,000.00.  Money was raised by selling name plaques to put in sidewalks.  After all this time, it is still hard for some to say, in 1983 a small check was received and note saying, hope this helps, it’s in memory of our only child – a son killed in Korea.

Honor Rolls – 1984 – Honors all Marion County service people who died during war years.  In 1988, lightening struck the main flag pole and traveled down the pole to the concrete star which exploded.

The Freedom Tree – Capt. Nystrom, a navy pilot shot down over Viet Nam, was from Marion.  His wife, who is active in the League Of Families of POW/MIA’S, sent us the plaque and the money for the red oak tree.

Spanish American  War – 1985 – The plaque was struck from the propeller blades of the USS Maine, that was sunk in Havana Harbor.  Years later it was discovered the Maine was not attacked, the ship imploded.  You see the ammunitions below deck exploded

Women’s Monument – 1985 – First to honor all women who served in and with the armed forces.  Three of our park committee ladies designed this monument. 

Civil War - 1987 – The grounds were so wet; we dedicated the monument, still in its crates, in the parking lot.  It is a large center monument with 13 small stones on either side, one for each of the original 13 colonies.

Freedom Shrine – Another first – An outside design featuring 30 of our historical documents under glass, built by the Exchange Club of Marion and GTE.

Mexican War – 1988 – The head monument designer, at Rock of Ages, is from Italy and he designed this monument with a picture of the Alamo.  We loved the design so much that if you will step around to the back, you’ll get a history lesson.  The Alamo took place 10 years before the Mexican War.

War of 1812 – 1989 – Standard design.

Revolutionary War – 1991 – Took two years to raise the money for this monument.  Its cost was $30,000.00. This setting consists of 13 monuments, one for each of the 13 colonies, and a larger header monument.

Desert Storm – July 4, 1992 – We had hoped and prayed that this monument would have been our last monument to place in our park.

Global War On Terrorism – dedicated Nov. 11, 2005 (Veteran’s Day).  Designed by SSGT. Dan Damron from Marion, Ohio.  Features the twin towers on top of the world globe with the American flag waving in its background.  All branches of the armed forces are honored, along with both service medals.

POW/MIA Eternal Light – Nov. 11, 2005 (Veteran’s Day).  This monument was a long time coming to our park.

On Memorial Day weekend, July 4^th weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Veterans Day 600 American flags line the sidewalks and thru the park. It is to honor all that have served and to those that have made the sacrifice for our freedoms.

There is love and pride in this park.  It was built to honor all men and women who helped to make this country what it is today…..FREE!