Guide to Garner 2020 edition | Page 13

Garner Veterans Memorial 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. Dedicated in May 2013, the Garner Veterans Memorial honors Garnerarea veterans and 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 residents an opportunity to recognize any veteran of the U.S. armed forces with memorial bricks in its 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. Group Tours: Free guided group tours of the memorial are available upon request. Contact Katie Lockhart at [email protected]. The memorial was designed to honor all veterans, but especially those who died during armed conflict and war. Visitors to the memorial have an opportunity to learn about the conflicts and wars involving the United States. 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. Garner resident and architect Mon Peng Yueh was lead designer for the project and worked closely with internationally renowned artist Thomas Sayre, who produced the red clay earthcasts on memorial’s upright slabs. Visit garnerveteransmemorial.org for more information about the memorial and to order a memorial brick. Proceeds from the sale of these bricks helped support the funding of the project. Bricks can still be purchased and will be placed in the walkway. Orders are collected until July 31 each year, with installation in October. Proceeds from the continued brick sales support the maintenance and upkeep of the memorial. garnernc.gov 11