The Walk of Heroes - land of the free and the home of the brave

This was one of the first attraction sites I visited upon my new position with the Conyers Convention & Visitors Bureau as their Tourism Specialist April 27, 2015. With my oldest son enlisted in the US Navy since April 2013, I knew this place was going to be extra meaningful to me.  The Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial is adjacent to one of Rockdale County's pristine parks - Black Shoals Park & Randy Poynter Lake.

The entrance is magnificent. The initial phase of the six acre memorial park includes the entrance to the memorial, a fountain, a master plan of phases to the site, a pathway that will lead you through the memorial, and a statue of five soldiers. I should also mention (at the time of this published article) that there is free admission, ample parking, a good size botanical garden, a military helicopter, and public restrooms with a water fountain located at the front entrance to the memorial site. They are open daily except closed on Wednesdays. If you are planning to visit, be sure to check their website beforehand.

The five soldiers represent the five military branches and wear uniforms representing the five major conflicts in the 20th century. The memorial commemorates veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, The Vietnamese War, and the Persian Gulf War. Along the walk path are commemorative pavers in which you can custom order as many as you'd like to honor past and present Veterans.

 

As you walk towards the back of the park, you will find an impressive landing area with a stage that many patriotic ceremonies are held throughout the year.

It has been 12 years since the ground breaking ceremony of this phenomenal memorial. I would love to attract others to this site for them to see it in person for themselves. Because I know, once they experience it, they too will want to tell as many friends and family about this glorious place. Together we can make a difference, memorialize our veterans, so that our children and their children can walk through history of our Heroes - and never forget. I've decided to become a sustaining member, as well as ordering brick pavers to honor the brave (like my son Justin).

The Georgia Veterans Memorial Park Foundation is a non-profit organization and receives funding from private and public sources, including Rockdale County and the federal government. If you would like to contribute in helping build this Memorial, please contact Tommy Clack. You may find contacts from the Board of Directors here.