North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served
May 27, 2019
People across North Escambia and the country are remembering 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.
The late 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 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 above.)
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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Molino Community Center Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor inside the Molino Community Center honors dozens of area residents = that have served in the military, including those killed in action (pictured above).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
3 Responses to “North Escambia Memorials Honor Those That Served”
it was a privilege to serve my country. the experience of vietnam and combat was not a pleasant one. friends lost and wounded hurt. time heals but the memories linger.
God bless each and every one of you and thank you for your service and sacrifice for our way of life in the USA.
Young men and women from across every walk of life came together to join in one single group who put their names “on the dotted line” and went across the world in defense of Freedom for all peoples from oppression, tyranny and fear.
You will Always be Remembered for the debt we owe and can never repay.
Honor, Respect, Gratitude to those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and who Gave ALL.
Rest in Peace, your watch is done. Duty, Honor, Country.