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Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
Commemorative Landscapes of North Carolina
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Source:  Vietnam War Memorial Orchard, Albemarle. Courtesy of Chris Miller

  • Monument Name

    Vietnam War Memorial Orchard, Albemarle

  • Type

    Public Space

    Marker

    Tree

  • Subjects

    Vietnam War, 1960-1975

  • City

    Albemarle

  • County

    Stanly

  • Description

    When dedicated in 1998 the memorial orchard was composed of a granite tombstone listing the names of 17 Stanly County Vietnam War killed in action and 17 Bradford Pear trees. By early 2020 the Bradford Pears had become overgrown and were also recognized as an invasive species. In early 2023 Friends of the Agri-Civic Center where the orchard was located and Boy Scout troops had organized to remove the Bradford Pears. They were replaced with eight Cherokee Princes dogwood trees and nine October Glory red maple trees. A marker with the picture of each deceased veteran was placed by a tree. Plans include adding a fence around the orchard and installing a flagpole.

  • Inscription

    THESE TREES / IN MEMORY OF STANLY CO. MEN / KILLED IN VIETNAM / [Left Column] HENRY F. SMITH / NOV. 1, 1965 / MILTON H. LEGRANDE / NOV. 20, 1966 / JERRY A. SNIPES / APR. 1, 1968 / JAMES F. RUMMAGE / DEC. 21, 1968 / RICHARD L. SICKLES / MAY 1, 1969 / EUGENE P. CLARK / AUG. 12, 1969 / HAROLD P. FESPERMAN / FEB. 14, 1970 / JOEL C. HATLEY / MAR. 5, 1971 / MITCHEL T. MORTON / MAR. 21, 1969 / [Right column] WILLIAM D. LAMBERT / DEC. 7, 1966 / LARRY B. TURNER / JUNE 22, 1967 / HARRY L. BLALOCK / APR. 3, 1968 / WILLIAM J. MASKE / MAR. 28, 1969 / LARRY C. HATHCOCK / SEPT. 21, 1969 / DONNY L. TUCKER / OCT. 10, 1970 / JIMMY D. SELLS / MAY 18, 1969

  • Custodian

    Stanly County Agri-Civic Center

  • Dedication Date

    Dedication: 1998. Re-dedication: 2023-05-20

  • Decade

    1990s

  • Geographic Coordinates

    35.326010 , -80.245190 View in Geobrowsemap pin

  • Supporting Sources

      Miller, Chris, "Fallen Veterans Recognized, Honored During Rededication Ceremony for Vietnam Memorial Orchard,” The Stanly News & Press (Albemarle, NC), May 22, 2023, (accessed with subscription on January 21, 2024) Link

      Miller, Chris, “Vietnam War Memorial Gets Renovated,” The Stanly News & Press (Albemarle, NC), February 20, 2023, (accessed with subscription on January 21, 2024) Link

  • Public Site

    Yes

  • Materials & Techniques

    Granite marker, trees

  • Sponsors

    Will Taylor, Eagle Scout Project

  • Monument Cost

    The cost to remove the old trees, clean the site and replant in 2023 was approximately $5,000

  • Location

    The Stanly Agri-Civic Center is located at 26032 Newt Road, Albemarle, NC

  • Landscape

    The park is located on the territory of the Agri-Civic Center. Several species of trees form Vietnam War Memorial Orchard.

  • Rededicated

    Yes

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