Memorial Day: Heartland Veterans Memorial Park

Each year we take a day to honor and mourn the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May as flags line our streets and gravesites are adorned with flowers. For Rural Resurrection, it is a good day to look at how towns honor their local heroes through memorial parks. Not just to applaud towns for their good design of the memorials, but also for the effort it takes to fundraise and construct these memorials.

For the last two years, I wrote about two other memorial parks in Nebraska. Two years ago I wrote about the Higgins National Memorial Park in Columbus. A stunning tribute to not only local veterans but also Andrew Jackson Higgins, the creator of the Higgins Boat landing craft. Last year’s post was about the North Bend Memorial Park, a great example of what a small community can do when it pulls together to put together a great memorial park.

While working on a noise study for a new viaduct in Central City, I came across the Heartland Veterans Memorial. For a town the size of Central City, the memorial is massive. This well-done veterans memorial is something the community should certainly be proud of.

Pentagon of Recognition

The Heartland Veterans Memorial is unique in that it has a series of five walls that represent a “Pentagon of Recognition”. They aren’t aligned in a pentagon shape specifically. But the edge of each wall starts in the corner of the underlying pavement that is shaped in a pentagon. Each wall continues inward toward a star in the center of the memorial with the flag of the United States serving as the centerpiece. Assumingly this orientation represents who these brave souls fought for.

The five conflicts represented on each of the walls are World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Cold War. Each of the five walls are tastefully done structures made out of limestone block and granite. Etched into the granite slabs are maps to show where they were fought, as well as photos and information about each conflict. The back of each wall includes the names of those who are memorialized. Organizers understood that the memorial would sit across the street from the Central City Middle School and High School. They wanted the memorial to not only pay tribute to those who served, but also educational to those who attended school nearby.

For more on the details on what is on each wall, check out the website for the park.

Other Memorials at the Park

Outside of the Pentagon of Recognition are a few other memorials that make the Heartland Veterans Memorial a comprehensive memorial to those who served. First, there’s a wall, like those in the Pentagon of Recognition, that addresses other conflicts involving the United States. This includes the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War and others.

There’s also a memorial dedicated to the Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. The POW/MIA memorial has the POW/MIA flag, four monuments, a sculpture, and a bench.

Rounding out the park is a set of memorials dedicated to the separate services of the armed forces. A flag and a monument provide dedication to each of the armed services.

Fundraising for the Memorial Park

Fundraising for the Heartland Veterans Memorial Park is provided through the Merrick Foundation. This is the community foundation for Merrick County, Nebraska. Through the website families of those who served can purchase a tile for $100. The tile provides the Rank, Name, Branch of Service, Campaign, Date of Service of who served. The Merrick Foundation website has an easy form to fill out and all the adequate information needed. This makes the process simple and easy for those who want to donate.

The park is also featured on the Nation Veteran Tribute Network, a national website, that draws attention to the park and, therefore, more fundraising opportunities.

An Example for Other Communities

This beautiful memorial is a tremendous accomplishment for such a small community. Central City and Merrick County residents should be proud of this accomplishment.

If you know of another memorial in a rural community that deserves recognition, let me know in the comments section.