Veterans Memorial Park

Ocala Florida

 

You must see this park to believe it. Covering acres of land are large open areas; a place to gather. An admin building flying the flags of all the services. Paths down which you can roam with a least a hundred inscribed brick stacks from all branches of the service and going back from operations in Iraq to the American Revolution, some with just bricks and others with bricks surrounding unit crests. Some stacks, a few dozen bricks up to the large stacks with 96 bricks. Spaced along the walkway are inscribed benches to stop and sit, to rest and reflect a moment. Central to the park is the Memorial Plaza who's centerpiece is the Medal of Honor Memorial inscribed with Florida's Medal of Honor recipients. (Listed there is Charlie Company's Robert Jenkins Jr). Along a perimeter road, Purple Heart Way, is a 4 foot high brick wall. On the road side of the wall spaced every few feet are stands to hold American Flags. Flags are placed in the stands on specific observances such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day... etc. Mike told me it's quite a sight to see a few hundred yards of waving American Flags; waving in the breeze. You can almost see it.