Dedication for Blanchard Veterans Memorial held Thursday
BLANCHARD, Okla. (KFOR) — A brand new Veterans Memorial now stands tall in Blanchard and an official ceremony to celebrate it was held Thursday morning.
Cars lined up and Blanchard residents ignored the rain to honor those still serving and those who never returned home.
LOCAL NEWS: 45th Infantry Museum holds Memorial Day Ceremony
“It’s absolutely beautiful, it’s impressive,” Air Force Veteran Darryl Pool said of the memorial.
Each branch is represented along with their story. The idea started in 2017 with a simple question as to why they didn’t have one. About six years and $450,000 in funding later, it now stands tall at the corner of Highway 62 and Van Buren Avenue on the east side of town.
“This park stands as a testament to their courage, their resilience and their unwavering commitment to the ideals on which our country was founded,” Ret. Rear Adm. And former Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic said.
“I’ve been all over the state and I don’t think I’ve seen a memorial park like this so impressive,” Assistant Adjutant General of the Oklahoma National Guard Col. Bradley Carter said.
The design uses the theme “the mark of a servant.” It refers to the sacrifice of those serving in both war and peace.
“It was a dedication to our country, to serve in the U.S. Air Force,” Pool said of his service.
Pool left his boot prints overseas while serving in the Air Force. He said he hopes the memorials eternal flame can spark the curiosity of future generations.
“To help them understand, honor and respect the military personnel who served for this great country,” he said.
Gov. Kevin Stitt, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell also attended and spoke at the dedication.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
