By Angela Norris
Veterans Memorial Park of America
As we reflect on 2025, where have we been and where will 2026 take us?
Weather unpredictable all year long…cold, hot, wet, dry – never know what to wear.
I usually don’t include my personal life, but this year (2025) has been up and down. We have been very busy. Sometimes wondered when will it slow down. Which choice should I make? Why didn’t I do that different? Family events like basketball, soccer, Boy Scouting, Cheer Camp, karate, and Troop Hard Chargers. The first trip to Disney with daughter and grandkids. That was an adventure none of us will ever forget.
All these memories come rolling back and I start missing loved ones that gone on before us. Everyone knows that the Veterans Memorial Park of America is very important to me. For over 12 years I have laughed, cried, walked, talked, slept, eat, and drank Veterans Memorial Park of America.
Just this past year with Veterans Memorial Park of America, we have attended many festivals and fundraising events. We have had our third Board of Directors/Committee Members who was awarded the N.C. Governor’s Volunteer Award. He’s a very deserving individual who gives of himself selflessly everyday to our community and other communities. We have an outstanding board that works hard and long to keep moving forward.
We were able to provide two catered meals to our veterans free of charge. We were able to have representatives of the Veterans Benefits Administration attend events and assist our veterans with processing and receiving their claims.
We assisted in getting a Columbus County Native, a Vietnam Veteran, his full military funeral at his final resting place back home here in Columbus County.
The Field of Flags flew and the wind blew, making them wave at everyone that came by.
In 2025 we added two new opportunities to honor our veterans: The Wall That Heals and Wreaths Across America.
We hosted The Wall That Heals at the park. The event brought people to Columbus County to honor our men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Families came and were honored by carrying their loved one’s panel that house their names, while display was being set up. For 24 hours a day over four days families could come to honor and remember, along with getting a rubbing of their loved one’s name. Tears were shed and some healing began.
For some this was their only opportunity to get to see The Wall That Heals. They may never get the chance to go to Washington, D.C. to see the original Wall. One lady was there from the time the truck rolled into Sea Breeze Harley Davidson on Tuesday till the time the truck rolled out on Sunday. She was 8 years old when her father, MSG Robert Anspach went missing in action on Sept. 11, 1967. He is still MIA.
We are humbled that we had the opportunity to make this happen and hear so many stories of so many families.
We had our annual ceremonies on the patriotic holidays. We were asked to be a part of a nationwide movement with Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America started out honoring our veterans in National Cemeteries. It has gotten so large that now they opened it up to private and public cemeteries to honor their veterans with a wreath in December of every year. This being our first time participating with Wreaths Across America, we are excited that we honored 612 Veterans in Columbus, Bladen, Brunswick, and New Hanover County. With the help of many volunteers these wreaths were distributed and placed. Wreaths can be sponsored for only $17 per wreath by visiting www.wreathacrossamerica.org/NC0653P
With our partnership with the Oak Island Elks Lodge we were able to provide some everyday essentials to 20 veterans and their families for Christmas.
On Veterans Day we had a ribbon cutting for the Veterans Community Outreach Center. We had between 150-175 people, with 90+ being veterans themselves. They are so proud of their park. This past year we completed yet another great phase that a lot of people said we would never do.
Some folks said that the park was only a “big dream” that could never happen in Columbus County. Even as a child someone could tell me “You can’t do that,” and I would look them straight in the face and say “Watch me!”
And with the help of some wonderful and dedicated people we have accomplished one of the many to come phases at the Veterans Memorial Park of America. We will keep moving forward and there is a lot more to come to little ol’ Columbus County.
So the “Naysayers” can keep on talking and we will keep moving forward. It’s ok if people think your dream is crazy. You have to have the dream for the vision to come true.
So 2026, here we come!
Look out for new things and new adventures. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!
To donate to the Veterans Memorial Park of America you can mail checks to PO Box 2046 Whiteville, NC 28472, Venmo to VMPA-2013, or visit our website www.veteransmemorialparkofamerica.com
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