North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served

May 27, 2013

People across North Escambia and the country will pause today to remember the brave men and women that have served our country as we celebrate Memorial Day.

In North Escambia, there are several memorials that honor those that have served in the military:

Walnut Hill Veterans Wall of Honor

The largest such memorial in the North Escambia area, the Veteran’s Honor Wall has stood in front of the Walnut Hill Community Center since its dedication in 2003. There are nearly 300 names on the wall, including  names of just over a dozen soldiers killed in action. The wall honors those from the Walnut Hill area that have served in the nation’s military.

The Walnut Hill Ruritan Club began planning the wall in late 2001, and they decided that it would be a community project at no cost to the veterans listed.

Billy R. Ward began to engrave the names with an antique machine the club purchased off the internet, and there were 220 names on the wall when it was dedicated in 2003. He spent a lot of time on the project, even visiting the Wall South Memorial in Pensacola to get an idea what size the letters on the plaques should be.

On the Walnut Hill Veteran’s Honor Wall, everyone is equal. It was decided that no service rank would be include on the name plaques, just the branch and years of service.

It is estimated that about one-fourth of the veterans listed on the wall are now deceased.

The Walnut Hill Veteran’s Wall is located in front of the community center at 7850 Highway 97.

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LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park


The LCpl Travis M. Nelson Park was dedicated in Bratt on November 8, 2011, in honor of the local Marine killed in action in August 2011 in  Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was just two weeks after his 19th birthday and only about a month after he arrived in Afghanistan.

The park features a memorial in Nelson’s honor. It is located on West Highway 4, just west of Northview High School.

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Atmore Veterans Memorial

The new Veterans Memorial in Atmore stands proudly on the lawn of the Atmore City Hall to pay tribute to those have served from around Atmore and North Escambia. Names of the fallen are on the spire, while commemorative bricks around the base of the spire name those that have served in the military past and present.

Those honored on the bricks date back to the Revolutionary War with a brick with the name of Benjamin Sasser, 1755-1840. His relative, Federick Sasser, 1794-1846, is also honored for his service in the War of 1812.

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Barrineau Park Wall of Honor

The Wall of Honor inside the Barrineau Park Community Center  honors scores of area residents  that have served in the military. The wall was a project of the Barrineau Park Historical Society. (Pictured above.)

Century Veterans Wall of Honor

About four dozen of those that served from the Century area are honored on the Century Veterans Wall of Honor at Century’s Roadside Park on Highway 29. The memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2008. (Pictured below.)

The Century Veterans Wall of Honor is located in the Nadine McCaw Park at the corner of North Century Boulevard (Highway 29) and Hecker Road.

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NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served”

  1. melodies4us on May 27th, 2013 9:14 pm

    AWESOME ! Thank you to all who have served.

  2. James Broel on May 27th, 2013 10:13 am

    Real American,

    I don’t see that online at pnj.com. I see an article on 1,000 people that gathered to honor soldiers at Veteran’s Park and a memorial service at Barrancas. The parties you speak of were mentioned online a few days ago but I don’t see it online today, Monday, May 27th. Even the gay pride holiday is news. I think the PNJ balanced the events fairly. Bless all those who serve and serve in our military!!

  3. Real American on May 27th, 2013 8:42 am

    Thank you North Escambia for your actually recognizing memorial day. All the pnj wants to do is show some gay fest at the beach. Instead of American flags the last couple of days all they are showing is rainbow fruitloop flags.

  4. Robert S. on May 27th, 2013 7:59 am

    A day of Honor, Appreciation, Thanks to those who sacrificed their lives in service to the United States of America. I hope all who are celebrating this day have a moment of silence to remember that we are Free because of the Brave who Gave All.
    May we live our lives in a way that would make them proud of us.

  5. bigR on May 27th, 2013 7:43 am

    my undying gratitude goes out to all these brave men and their families especially those that did not get to return that gave their ultimate sacrifice so that we could keep enjoying freedom as we have all grown to know it. thank you and God Bless.

  6. puddin on May 27th, 2013 5:47 am

    Thanks to all who made such a huge sacrific to serve our country in peace and war. RIP to those who gave all. Your Watch is over, stand down. Time to rest. Thank you all.