Veterans Memorial, Saluda
The Veterans Memorial stands as a 6.5-foot tall granite obelisk, mounted in a concrete platform. The front face of the obelisk displays the inscription honoring the armed forces of Saluda. On the left side face, the name of the monument is displayed, and on the right side face, the dedication date is inscribed. There is a chain connected to four short poles encompassing the memorial platform on three sides, and a granite bench stands directly in front of the obelisk on the same concrete platform. The granite bench is about a quarter of the height of the obelisk, with two legs and a flat seat bearing an inscription of the wars the veterans fought in. Dispersed along the side borders of the obelisk and bench are six rectangular plates built within the concrete platform, displaying titles of the divisions of armed forces that fought in wars.
Front, obelisk: THIS MEMORIAL WAS / ESTABLISHED TO GIVE / HONOR AND SPECIAL / COMMENDATION TO ALL / MEN AND WOMEN OF THE / SALUDA AREA WHO SERVED / IN THE ARMED FORCES OF / AMERICA. THE SERVICE THEY / GAVE IN PEACE AND WAR / TO THEIR COUNTRY IS / ETERNALLY APPRECIATED.
Front, base: DESIGNED AND ERECTED BY: / DR. JERRY M. RUSSELL
Left, obelisk: VETERANS / MEMORIAL
Right, obelisk: DEDICATED ARMISTICE DAY / NOVEMBER 11, 2001
Bench Inscriptions:
Top, face: SPANISH AMERICAN WAR / WORLD WAR I / WORLD WAR II / KOREAN WAR / VIETNAM WAR / PERSIAN GULF WAR
Platform Inscriptions:
Top, lower right box: ARMY
Top, middle right box:
Top, upper right box: AIR FORCE
Top, lower left box: NAVY
Top, middle left box: COAST GUARD
Top, upper left box: MARINES
November 11, 2001
35.235960 , -82.348620
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“Memorial Day ceremonies, events,” Times News (Hendersonville, NC), May 26, 2014
Todd, Mark. “Saluda man plans memorial for military veterans,” Times-News Online (Hendersonville, NC), August 15, 2001, (accessed May 19, 2015) Link
“Saluda Faces: Doc Russell,” Saluda Lifestyles (Saluda, NC), April 1, 2011, (accessed May 19, 2015) Link
“Saluda Veterans Memorial,” Waymarking.com, (accessed May 19, 2015) Link
“Veterans Memorial,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed February 2015) Link
Yes
Granite
Dr. Jerry M. Russell
Dr. Jerry Russell, the sponsor of the memorial, is a current Saluda resident and Navy veteran who had interest in such a project for many years. He personally raised funds for the monument, and his childhood memories of trainloads of soldiers coming through Saluda inspired him to have the memorial located right next to the railroad tracks near Main Street.
McMahan Memorials, Inc. participated in the construction of the Veteran Memorial project.
The memorial is located on a 10-by-10 foot plot of ground beside the railroad tracks next to Main St. and across from State Rd. To the right of the memorial is a cylinder-shaped monument dedicated to the deceased woodmen of Pine Camp 482 from Saluda. Other surrounding markers within shouting distance of the marker include a small marble block in memory of Wilkes County resident Greg Granger, and a dark marble marker behind the Veterans Memorial honoring Saluda’s Chief of Police Andrew Williams.
The memorial platform sits in the large grassy area adjacent to the railroad tracks, surrounded by a row of trees on each side of the marker. Additionally, there is a square flower garden in front of the memorial, maintained by the Saluda Woman’s Club.
A Memorial Day Program takes place annual at the site of the memorial, organized and produced every year by Dr. Jerry Russell. At the annual Memorial Day services, events typically include a flag raising, the national anthem, the register of new veterans, and an awards presentation.
Dr. Jerry Russell obtained permission from the city of Saluda and the Saluda Women’s Club in order to carry out the project. Per his initiative, the city granted the land on which to erect the Veteran's Memorial Monument by the railroad tracks.
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