Macon County Veterans Memorial, Franklin
The Macon County Veterans Memorial features a large, painted, granite American Eagle backed by a flagpole. The eagle stands on a granite plinth holding an inscription on a single base. This sculpture is centered on an oval concrete pad that is surrounded by memorial brick pavers and framed by a concrete border. Individual walkways lead to monuments representing all six branches of service. A special section of memorial brick pavers is reserved for Macon County persons killed in action.
The individual monuments are large unfinished stone blocks, some still containing quarry marks. The Army monument has a rectangular stone carving inset into the granite block. It shows a soldier kneeling before a battlefield cross with hand on heart. “THIS WE’LL DEFEND” appears in a scroll above the soldier’s head. A smaller square block with the Army Coat of Arms is inset next to the soldier element. Incised into the stone under the coat of arms and running perpendicular is the word “ARMY.”
The Air Force monument has a rectangular carved stone showing a pilot at attention and saluting with a helmet under the left arm. “ABOVE ALL” appears in a scroll along the top. Also depicted are propeller and jet aircraft and a rocket. A smaller square block with the Air Force Coat of Arms is next to the pilot carving. Incised into the stone under the coat of arms and running perpendicular is “AIR FORCE.”
The Marine Corps monument has a rectangular carved stone showing the Iwo Jima flag raising. “UNCOMMON VALOR” is in a scroll along the top. A smaller square block with the Marine Corps Coat of Arms is next to the Iwo Jima carving. Incised into the stone under the coat of arm and running perpendicular is the word “MARINES.”
The Navy monument has a rectangular carved stone depicting a sailor wearing a cap and pea coat, duffle bag over the shoulder and hands in his pockets. “HONOR, COURAGE, TRADITION” is in a scroll along the top. Also shown are a submarine, surface ship and carrier aircraft. A smaller square block with the Navy Coat of Arms is next to the sailor carving. Incised into the stone below the coat of arms and running perpendicular is the word “NAVY.”
The Coast Guard monument has a rectangular carved stone showing a man with an automatic weapon looking upward with binoculars towards a helicopter with a rescue basket hanging above men in a lifeboat. A lighthouse is also present. “ALWAYS READY” is in a scroll above the lighthouse. A smaller square block with the Coast Guard Coat of Arms is next to the carving. Incised into the stone below the coat of arms and running perpendicular is “COAST GUARD.”
The Merchant Marines monument has a rectangular carved stone showing a sailor in the foreground at the helm of a ship. On the deck beyond are two men loading a shell into a deck gun. A smaller square block with the Merchant Marines Coat of Arms is next to this carving. Incised into the stone below the coat of arms and running perpendicular are the words “MERCHANT MARINES.”
Beneath Eagle: DEFENDING / FREEDOM / 1775 / TO PRESENT
Dedication, Park entry stone: VETERANS MEMORIAL / DEDICATED JULY 4, 2009 / IN HONOR OF ALL VETERANS
Macon County Parks and Recreation
July 4, 2009
35.156700 , -83.390520
View in Geobrowse
Yes
Granite, concrete, brick
Macon County, the Town of Franklin, the Town of Highlands, the American Legion Post 108, the VFW Post 7339, and private donations.
When dedicated in 2009 the large eagle and entry marker were unpainted. This was done in 2015 by Don Bowen.
Land for the park was donated by Macon County. Funds and services were provided by Macon County, the Town of Franklin and the Town of Highlands. Additional funding, labor, materials and design were provided by the American Legion Post 108, the VFW Post 7339, private individuals and local businesses. Over 200 volunteers participated in the construction.
The memorial complex is located at the Macon County Recreation Park, 1288 Georgia Road, Franklin, NC.
The Macon County Veterans Memorial complex stands in the open field, with trees and vegetation as its backdrop.
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