A Veterans Memorial Walk is planned for Hinesville’s Bryant Commons. City officials joined members of the Hinesville Military Affairs Committee Thursday to discuss the memorial, which will honor all Liberty County veterans who’ve died for our country, beginning with the American Revolution to the current conflict.
At HMAC’s monthly meeting at Bryant Commons Marcus Sack, an engineer with P.C. Simonton & Associates, explained concept drawings of the proposed memorial. Then he led them on a virtual tour of the proposed site.
“The city is going to be looking for grants,” Mayor Jim Thomas said when asked how the city would pay for the $750,000 project.
“We’ll be looking for donations from all over. Former (Fort Stewart) commanders and soldiers, anyone and everyone is encouraged to support this memorial.”
Sack’s drawings show an entry to the memorial with a monument and American flag. Guests would be led in a counterclockwise circle, winding through palm trees, moss-covered oaks and magnolias. Along the way, statues representing each of the services — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard — greet visitors.
A large memorial wall near the backside of the walk will list the names of every service member from Liberty County who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the country. There will also be a POW/MIA monument.
Ten benches are planned. The entire walk is slightly larger than the circumference of a baseball field. A small pond will occupy the center, joining a larger pond already on site.
“It will take 14 to 16 months just to make the statues,” Sack said. “Statues would have to be designed then approved then molds made. The landscaping itself wouldn’t take that long.”
After noting the price tag was nearly half that of the veteran memorial in Fayetteville, N.C., George Holtzman of Coldwell Bankers, Holtzman Realty said he’d like to see the project completed by 2014 or 2015. Thomas agreed, saying that raising funds for the project should begin right away.
He said Bryant Commons amphitheater will open in August, and once people see what they have at Bryant Commons they’ll be eager to support the memorial.
Other business discussed by HMAC included tiny folded flags placed on markers at Warriors Walk prior to Memorial Day and preparations for the upcoming July 4th celebration at Fort Stewart. P.J. Schneider reported that business support for the annual event has been slow. Those interested in helping or making donations can email Schneider at paul.schneider@gdol.ga.gov.