Located in Pensacola, Florida, Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola is the result of an endeavor to turn a temporary memorial into a permanent one. The creation of the first permanent half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial has enabled the creation and growth of a much bigger effort to honor the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the service and defense of the United States of America. It showcases how monuments can come to define specific initiatives but also enable so much more.
A Temporary Memorial Inspires a Permanent Monumentous Park
The idea for “Wall South” was born in 1987 when the “Moving Wall” temporary memorial installation of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. passed through Pensacola. Marine Corps veteran Bill Davis was a member of the planning party that was dedicated to creating a half-scale replica of the famous memorial. He later described the project as a straightforward but genuine nod of respect to the full-scale wall designed by Maya Lin.
For five years the Vietnam Veterans of Northwest Florida (VVNF) held garage sales, 5 and 10 K runs, baseball/softball tourneys; car washes and hundreds of other fundraisers to raise money for the creation of a permanent memorial. With the help and support of family, friends and active duty service members, this dream came true in 1992. A crowd of thousands gathered to view the unveiling and listen to a reading of all 58,217 Americans killed or missing in action in the Vietnam War.
The creation of “Wall South” would enable the space to become a collection of shrines to various other wars and conflicts, including the American Revolution, the Korean War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the War on Terror. Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola is now filled with monuments that is owned by the City of Pensacola but is administered by the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation, the Vietnam Veterans of Northwest Florida (VVNF) and its Wall South Foundation.
The many monuments of Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola honor veterans of various conflicts in powerful ways to create engagement with veterans on multiple levels. That has allowed it to also serve as a draw for audiences from around the region and beyond.
Marine Bell Tower, the Monument to Children and More
As a permanent replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial, ‘Wall South’ is the original and most notable monument in the Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola. Anyone can search the wall to find the name of someone listed on the wall. That notoriety has enabled the creation and cultivation of various other memorials across the park.
The World War I memorial was relocated to Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola from Downtown Pensacola. Dedicated in 2002, the World War II monument was designed to represent the entire national effort in that conflict, highlighting the combat troops who formed the tip of the spear in the endeavor. The Korean War Memorial features three bronze figures that represent all of the military services and was dedicated in 2007 at a ceremony that drew more than 1,000 people.
Other monuments are dedicated to more specific causes. The Monument to Children depicts a hopeful child, awaiting her father’s return. It represents the bravery and sacrifice of all children who endured the difficulty of having deployed family members. A monument to the submarine lifeguards who rescued so many Navy pilots in World War II sits near the Purple Heart Memorial, which is awarded to those who are wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States. The Marine Bell Tower pays tribute to the Marines who have maintained, crewed, controlled and supported Marine Aviation training and operations. It is dedicated to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.
Other notable monuments include the Minuteman Memorial, the Persian Gulf War Memorial and a Global War on Terrorism Memorial. These monuments have allowed Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola to serve as a venue for many memorial services and other ceremonies for military unit reunions and community events, many of which provide an important source of revenue. Purchasing bricks on the “Walk of Honor” also represents a powerful source of direct revenue for the memorial’s organizers. The park is maintained thanks to this type of fundraising as well as the efforts of volunteers.
All of these monuments have come to define Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola and enable a powerful direct and indirect economic impact while also creating goodwill throughout the surrounding community. The park has brought to life a legacy for the region and nation that will continue to grow and serve as an attraction for audiences of all types.
A Place to Reflect and Honor
Designed to exist as a place of repose and veneration for the spirits of the slain, visitors come to Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola to reflect and honor those who have given their lives for their country. By transforming what was a single, temporary memorial into a permanent park that houses many monuments, Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola showcases what it can look like for a monument to fulfill on a vision for a space while also opening up countless other opportunities in the present and future.
