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Florence Veterans Park

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Florence County / Florence Veterans Park

On November 11, 2008 – Veterans Day – Florence dedicated its new Florence Veterans Park in a patriotic ceremony that included active and retired members from all branches of the military.

Veterans Park

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The six-acre park sits behind the Florence Civic Center on land donated for this project by the estate of R.P. Byrd, a World War II veteran, and former South Carolina Representative Edward L. Young.

Florence Veterans Park

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Visitors entering the park are awed by the three-columned obelisk featuring a bronze bald eagle apex by prominent Florence-based sculptor Alex Palkovich. The six faces of the obelisk are dedicated to the six branches of the United States military.

Veterans Park Obelisk

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Originally from the Ukraine, Palkovich is a life-long sculptor and a retired engineer for General Electric who resides in Florence. Since his retirement, Palkovich is committed full-time to his art. His work is successful in connecting viewers with his subjects, as seen below in the moving sculpture, Home Safe.

Home Safe Statue

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Home Safe sculpture and surrounding trellises represent United States soldiers from all wars that have taken place in the twentieth century.

Home Safe Sculpture

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

A tranquil feature of the park is the water wall and pool. People come to Florence Veterans Park for different reasons – solace, reflection, remembrance – and the soothing water brings a sense of peace to visitors.

Water Wall Veterans Park

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Another wall, the Wall of Honor, recognizes veterans of the Pee Dee region. Bricks may be added to the wall for a fee, which goes to support the maintenance of the park.

Wall Of Honor Florence

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The memorial to veterans of Desert Storm was unveiled during the original dedication ceremony in 2008. However, when conceived, the Florence Veterans Park was intended to be a living memorial, with room for more monuments to be added through the years.

Desert Storm Memorial Florence

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

A year after the park was dedicated, this monument to Purple Heart recipients was added. The Purple Heart is awarded to soldiers wounded or killed while serving their country.

Purple Heart Monument

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

In March of 2009, the South Carolina Chapter 4 of the POW/MIA advocacy group Rolling Thunder dedicated this monument to prisoners of war and those missing in action.

POW MIA Monument

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The organization was able to raise money and complete the black granite monument in less than one year.

POW MIA Monument Florence

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

One of the more recent additions to the park is a memorial to those killed in the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The 15-foot-tall sculpture was designed by Alex Palkovich and exhibits in its center a piece of stone salvaged from the attack site. The monument was dedicated on September 11, 2011, the ten-year anniversary of the tragedy.

Pentagon Memorial Florence

Benton Henry of Latta, 2012 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

On Veterans Day of 2014 two new monuments were added to the park: one in honor of the United States Navy and another in honor of the United States Coast Guard. Below is the ship’s bell from the Dreadnought USS South Carolina, commissioned in 1908. The battleship was in service during from July 1, 1908, through December 15, 1921.

Ship's Bell Florence

Benton Henry of Latta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

A renowned member of the ship’s crew was Lieutenant Colonel Chester W. Nimitz. Lieutenant Colonel Nimitz was a highly decorated executive officer who rose to Commander-in-Chief of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II as well as Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy, the Navy’s highest grade. Following World War II he was appointed Chief of Naval Operations.

USS South Carolina Bell

Benton Henry of Latta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Below is the anchor from the United States Coast Guard Cutter Comanche, in service from 1934 through 1947. The cutter is credited with saving 97 lives following the sinking of the torpedoed United States Army Transport Dorchester on February 3, 1941. The Comanche served as supply ship escort in the North Atlantic and performed anti-submarine missions during World War II.

Coast Guard Monument

Benton Henry of Latta, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Florence Veterans Park also includes an amphitheater as well as several more monuments in honor of our veterans. There is no admission fee to enter the park, which is open during daylight hours. Florence Veterans Park is operated and maintained by the Veterans Park Committee and the City of Florence.

Plan Your Trip: Florence Veterans Park

Where is Florence Veterans Park located?
Address: 3300 West Radio Road, Florence, SC 29501
GPS Coordinates: 34.185022,-79.835031
Website: http://www.cityofflorence.com/departments/parks/recreation/veterans.aspx
What else should I see?
Florence Rail Trail 1.6 miles
Pisgah United Methodist Church 3 miles
Young Farm 3.8 miles
Jeffries Creek Park 4.1 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Florence Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Military
  • See other South Carolina Parks
  • See other South Carolina SC Artists
    Florence Veterans Park Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. CECELIA says

      November 13, 2014 at 12:15 PM

      I would like to who and/or how the names are on the wall. My father was in WWII and the Korean War.

      Reply
      • SCIWAY says

        November 13, 2014 at 12:27 PM

        You may purchase a brick for the wall, and funds from the purchase go towards the park. The website above the map should guide you to someone who can help you in doing this.

        Reply
    2. Steve Hey Load Linder says

      October 29, 2014 at 1:33 PM

      Mom and Pop are buried in the cemetery.

      Reply
    3. Linda Cook says

      October 29, 2014 at 1:56 AM

      This is a wonderful tribute! From friends of the family of USN Capt. Harley Hubert Hall, my adopted hometown, Pow*Mia from Vancouver, WA

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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