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December 4, 2009

Ceremony to be held for new Veteran’s Memorial

By Tiffany Green The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — A dedication ceremony for the newly constructed Veteran’s Memorial Park will be Monday, Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day, at 10 a.m. at Sportsman’s Lake Park.

George Mann, veteran of World War II, began the project three years ago and is excited to see phase one complete.

“I had been working to try to get a piece of history for Cullman County,” Mann said. “We are here to honor the people who gave us our freedoms.”

The project included moving all the existing monuments from the Cullman County Courthouse to Sportsman’s Lake Park. Mann also helped obtain the traveling Vietnam Wall for Cullman.

“I was awarded it in November 2008, and on Dec. 19, 2008, it arrived here,” Mann said.

The Vietnam Memorial Wall, which has the names of Alabama soldiers who gave their lives during the Vietnam War, now has a permanent place at Sportsman’s Lake Park. Mann said in the future, the wheels and axles will be removed and it will be bricked into place.

The park includes monuments from WW I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, with names of men and women from Cullman County who gave their lives in those wars.

“It’s going to be a beautiful thing,” Mann said. “We have been working very hard on it and it’s been a lot of work, but for me, I do it from the heart.”

The ceremony will include comments from Rep. James Fields, presentation of colors, the national anthem by the Wallace State saxophone quartet and recognition of local veteran groups.

“We chose Dec. 7 because it is Pearl Harbor Day and we thought that would be appropriate,” said James Graves, Cullman County Commission chairman. “This will be a proper thank you to veteran’s and a proper place to hold ceremonies.”

Future plans at the park call for an open building put over the Vietnam Wall, as well as some type of amphitheater to be built for future ceremonies.

“This will give closure to these men,” Mann said. “These veterans deserve honor.”

Mann said contributions are still needed.

“I hope everyone will contribute because this is our heritage, it’s not mine or yours, but it’s everyone’s,” Mann said. “We need more donations.”

Charlotte Slatton, county clerk, said all veterans deserve to be recognized.

“These veterans deserved to be recognized,” she said. “They have worked so hard on the park and funds are still needed. Recognize or honor the veteran you know by buying them a brick for Christmas.”

The park was designed by local architect Frank Fagg at F & O Architects. All concrete and brick work was done by the Cullman County Road Department.

The park was paid for by donations and by selling bricks in honor or memory of a loved one. To contribute to the memorial or to order a brick, contact George Mann at 734-1947 or 339-5504 or by mail at 1442 Co. R. 1282, Falkville, 35622.



* Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.

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