It’s hard to believe, but five years ago this week, ground was broken on the Veterans Memorial Park of America on U.S. 701 South of Whiteville. What began as a dream had grown to a destination for local and out of town visitors alike.
There are monuments to all the branches of service, a memory garden where people can reflect on veterans who lived and died in the country’s service, the Field of flags and so much more.
On the fifth anniversary of that groundbreaking this week, Angela Norris and Company began pouring the foundation for the Veterans Outreach Center. When it’s completed, the center will act as a community meeting place, as well as acting as a local base for Veterans Administration mobile services when they visit the county.
What’s more is that very little taxpayer money has been used for the park. All of the funds have been raised through individual donations and a few grants, outside of one donation by the county. It’s good to know so many people want to honor those among us who have served.
The park will host The Wall That Heals in April. The wall is a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Along with the wall will be the education center where visitors can learn more about local service members whose names are on the wall.
The event is free, but volunteers are needed.
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