The Garner Veterans Memorial is located at Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, NC 27529. Although we do not all have opportunity to serve our nation and earn the title of veteran, we do have the opportunity to be patriots and show our respect and support for those who have served. The memorial was designed to honor all veterans, especially those who died during conflict and war. Visitors to the memorial have an opportunity to read the brief but informative history of our war-torn past. Where our nation experienced decades of peace are reflection benches that offer a place to sit and contemplate our past, present and future.
The Garner Veterans Memorial features pillars with the names of 67 Garner-area veterans who have died serving their country as well as historical narrative about the wars and conflicts in which the nation has been involved. For more information, visit their website.
Purpose
The memorial was designed to honor all veterans, especially those who died during conflict and war. Visitors to the memorial have an opportunity to read the brief but informative history of our war-torn past. Where our nation experienced decades of peace are reflection benches that offer a place to sit and contemplate our past, present and future.
History
The Garner Veterans Memorial Committee was established in 2006 to plan a structure that would memorialize Garner area veterans. Made possible by donations from citizens, civic groups, churches and government agencies, the memorial was dedicated at Lake Benson Park on May 4, 2013.
The men and women who died serving the following areas are honored by having their names on the upright Servicemen Remembrance Panels at the memorial: Town of Garner, St. Mary’s Township, Panther Branch Township, Eastern part of Swift Creek Township, Southern part of Raleigh.
Their biographical information can be reviewed here (PDF).
If you know of anyone that died in the line of duty, please send this information to Katie Lockhart, 900 Seventh Avenue, Garner, NC 27529 or e-mail to klockhart@garnernc.gov.
Other veterans are recognized on memorial bricks in the Walkway of Honor.
$500,000 was raised through donations to make this dream a reality. The grassroots efforts of the committee and involvement of the community show incredible respect and support for our veterans.
Walkway of Honor
Veterans from all branches of service are honored in the Walkway of Honor. This area of remembrance allows for all servicemen and servicewomen to be honored regardless of location, age, or type of service. These bricks were donated by family and friends of those honored.
Proceeds from the sale of bricks helped support the funding for the project. Bricks can still be purchased and will be placed in the walkway. Orders are collected until July 31 each year, with installation in October. Proceeds from the continued brick sales support the maintenance and upkeep of the memorial.
FROM THE GVM BRICK CAMPAIGN:
Artist and Design
The Garner Veterans Memorial Committee accepted competitive design submissions for the memorial. The juried competition offered excellent suggestions and proposals for the memorial. Ultimately, Clearscapes from Raleigh was selected as the winner and was hired to develop the memorial.
Garner resident and Clearscapes architect Mon Peng Yueh was the lead designer for the project and worked closely with Thomas Sayre, a renowned artist and principal of Clearscapes, to create this incredible memorial.
Planning Your Visit
Location: Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, NC 27529
Operating Hours: Sunrise to sunset, seven days a week
(The park may be closed during special events or during severe weather.)
Parking: Two gravel parking lots are available at Lake Benson Park.
Limited parking is available along the park’s entrance drive.
Two handicap parking spaces were recently added near the Memorial entrance.
Other Amenities: Picnic shelters, Playgrounds, Walking trails, Water fountains, Open field space, Dog waste stations. Pets are welcome but must be leashed. Please clean up after your pet.
Free guided group tours are available upon request. Contact Katie Lockhart at klockhart@garnernc.gov to schedule a tour for your group.
* ALL MATERIAL SOURCED FROM THE GARNERNC.GOV WEBSITE.