Sanford Veterans Memorial Park Monument
After having lunch in downtown Sanford on a beautiful Saturday I walked down to the Veterans Memorial Park. The flag hung on half mast that day because of Ted Kennedy’s death, I assume (so yes, I am once again behind on my posts…shame on me!).
This little park right by the Sanford Riverwalk is actually quite interesting and the city has provided a good amount of history to read off the signs around the park. If you walk the park you will also notice pavers in the concrete that name all the wars the US has been involved in over the past, including the most recent ones in the Middle East. Those and other interesting details make this park worth a visit.
One of my favorite things in this very well thought through park is the main monument in the middle of the park. The fact that it’s located right by Lake Monroe makes it look even more impressive. I liked taking the picture from an angle because it makes the brass eagle on top look majestic and quite impressive.
On each side of the monument there are sayings of famous Americans engraved into the black marble. They read as follows:
“A nation united can never be conquered.” Thomas Jefferson
“Give me liberty or give me death.” Patrick Henry
“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy
“We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.” Abraham Lincoln
I personally love monuments because they say so much about the history of a country and culture. The symbolism is powerful and there is so much to read just from a single, at first simple looking monument. So I could dwell on here for another hour but I think it’s better you check it out yourself and let me know what you think ;o) Keep in mind, this is only a small monument so don’t compare it to anything you might have seen in Washington (where some of my favorite monuments are located).
