Garner Veterans Memorial
Dedicated in May 2013 , the Garner Veterans Memorial not only honors those who served in the armed forces but also educates visitors about the history of wars and conflicts involving the United States .
Made possible by over half a million dollars in donations from citizens , civic groups , churches and government agencies , the memorial , located near the entrance of Lake Benson Park ( 921 Buffaloe Road ), was a major reason Garner earned its All- America City designation in 2013 .
In a very short time , the memorial has become a focal point of the community . It serves as the location of Garner ’ s annual Memorial Day observance and provides citizens an opportunity to recognize any veteran of the U . S . armed forces with memorial bricks in the Walkway of Honor . The brick path allows for all members of the armed forces to be honored regardless of location , age or type of service .
Planning Your Visit
Operating Hours : The Town of Garner ’ s Lake Benson Park is open sunrise to sunset , seven days a week . The park may be closed during special events or during severe weather .
Parking : There are two gravel parking lots at Lake Benson Park . Limited parking is also available along the park ’ s entrance drive . Two handicap spaces are located near the memorial .
Group Tours : Free guided tours of the memorial are available . Contact Katie Spencer at kspencer @ garnernc . gov to schedule a tour for your group .
Garner resident and architect Mon Peng Yueh was lead designer for the project and worked closely with internationally renowned artist Thomas Sayre . The red clay earth castings on back of the memorial ’ s slabs carry symbolic meaning , says Sayre , who created the artwork .
“ The troops from this state were largely from rural communities who plowed the fields then put down those plows and went to war ,” Sayre says . “ The earth castings come directly out of the earth that the people came out of . And alas , those who didn ’ t come back returned to the earth , as we all do at some point .”
Sayre ’ s earthcasts won a 2013 Design and Manufacturing Excellence Award from the Architectural Precast Association .
Visit garnerveteransmemorial . org for more information about the memorial .
The memorial was designed to honor all veterans , but especially those who died during armed conflict and war . Reflection benches are located in areas that represent decades when our nation was at peace . The benches offer a place to contemplate our country ’ s past , present and future .
22 garnernc . gov