Garner Veterans Memorial, Garner
The monument is comprised of rows of tall, engraved rectangular concrete slabs attached to roughly finished backings designed to simulate North Carolina red clay.
The stone is white Mount Airy Granite, it is 2" thick with a steeled finish. The detailed lettering was sandblasted and then Lithochrome coloring was applied.
Sixteen south-facing slabs list a decade and provide a history of the military conflicts of that decade. The pillars summarize the 1770s, 1780s, 1790s, 1810s, 1830s, 1840s, 1860s, 1870s, 1890s, 1910s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s. Smaller north-facing slabs across the path bear the names of the Garner-area residents who died in each conflict. Scattered among the slabs are smooth stone benches. The memorial includes space at the end of the timeline for potential future conflicts.
Introductory pillar, main text: Throughout American history, / individuals have sacrificed / themselves to protect their / homelands, secure liberty / define themselves and their / freedoms, and defend their / interests.
With the exception of the / 1920s, Americans have been / at war in every decade since / their declaration of / independence in 1776. This / memorial honors the military / service and personal sacrifices / of Americans in war, / particularly those from this / region of North Carolina. In / the openings that reveal the / wide vista beyond, this / memorial also acknowledges / those decades when service / and sacrifice secured peace / on the homefront.
Introductory pillar, black plaque: This memorial introductory panel was given in honor of / James A. Lucas, Sr., by his loving family. Mr. Lucas was a Garner / resident, Garner business owner and World War II veteran. / He was in the 828 Bomb Squadron, 485th Bomb group and / flew 51 missions in a B-24 Liberator Aircraft on the tail gunner. / He was awarded numerous medals during his service, including the Presidential Ribbon and The Distinguished Flying Cross.
Town of Garner, NC
May 4, 2013
35.674970 , -78.627520
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Jahner, Kyle. “Seven Years Later, Memories Linger,” Garner Cleveland Record (Garner, N.C.), July 29, 2013, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
Jahner, Kyle. “Vet Committee to Maintain Memorial, Ties,” Garner Cleveland Record (Garner, N.C.), August 11, 2014, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
Jahner, Kyle. “Vet Memorial Adds to Memorial Day,” Garner Cleveland Record (Garner, N.C.), May 24, 2013, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
Jahner, Kyle. “WWII Hero Receives Bronze Star,” Garner Cleveland Record (Garner, N.C.), August 12, 2014, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
“Congressman David Price : Speeches : Remarks at the Garner Memorial Dedication,” Congressman David Price, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
“Garner Veterans Memorial Wins Architectural Award,” Garner Update (Garner, N.C.), February 2014, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
“Garner Veterans Memorial,” Garner Veterans Memorial, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
“North Carolina Veterans Park,” Clearscapes, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
“Veterans Memorial Dedication Set for May 4,” Town of Garner, (accessed March 4, 2015) Link
“Veterans Memorial to be Formally Unveiled May 4,” Garner Update (Garner, N.C.), April 2013, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
“Veterans Memorial,” Garner Chamber of Commerce, (accessed March 3, 2015) Link
Yes
Precast concrete, marble
Garner Veterans Memorial Committee
$500,000
There was a wreath laying ceremony the day before the memorial was dedicated. Over a thousand people gathered the next day for the dedication. The ceremony featured singing by The Hall Sisters and former Miss North Carolina Dana Stephenson, as well as prayer and the pledge of allegiance. It also included speeches from local officials, including Congressman David Price, Wake County Commissioner Phil Matthews (a Vietnam veteran), and Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams (also a Vietnam veteran). Garner Chamber of Commerce president Neal Padgett was the master of ceremonies, and the keynote speaker was retired brigadier general and N.C. Secretary of Transportation Tony Tata.
Also present were the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, and the Rand’s Mill Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Five military helicopters performed a flyover at the end of the ceremony.
The monument was designed by the architecture firm Clearscapes; coincidentally, the primary architect on the project was Garner resident Mon Peng Yueh. The Raleigh artist and Clearscapes principal Thomas H. Sayre designed the red backing of each slab.
The histories of each decade were written by Craig Thompson Friend, a history professor at North Carolina State University.
The Veterans Memorial is located at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Rd, Garner, NC 27529.
The memorial is situated in the rolling green hills of the park.
The monument is the location of services on Memorial and Veterans days, as well as other special events honoring veterans.
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