Between visiting the National World War II Museum, remembering soldiers on Memorial Day, and the 77th anniversary of D-Day this weekend, the sacrifice of the families in the armed forces has been on my mind. Maybe it has been on yours as well. Why not consider visiting a veterans park in your hometown or where you are traveling?
I knew they held Memorial Day ceremonies in nearby Teague Park in Longview and the U.S. Veterans Monument in Kilgore, so I decided to check them out.
Teague Park
To be honest, when we parked at Teague Park, at first I was rather underwhelmed. A few of the picnic tables were in disrepair and the volleyball net had seen better days.
They did have a nice playground, but it seemed just like a rather normal park.
Until we walked up the hill.
This beautiful section of the park winds around a pond. They have memorials dedicated to different wars from World War I to the Gulf War. Some memorials honor different groups, like women or wounded veterans.
They even have a statue to the K-9’s. I learned that 4,900 dogs served in Vietnam alone, saving over 10,000 lives. I had no idea dogs played such a large role in that war.
One of the most moving displays is the Vietnam Memorial that is 50 percent smaller than the one in Washington D.C.
If you continue up the hill, you can see an old cemetery where the Teagues are buried, as well as the ampitheater.
Harris Street Veterans Park
Though not as large as the one in Longview, the park in Kilgore also surprised me with its thoughtful displays. The centerpiece of the park is the U.S. Veterans Monument.
You can take a short walk and see a plane, an ambulance from the Korean War that took patients to M.A.S.H. units, and a jeep.
The park also has some children’s playgrounds, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and tennis courts.
Several of my relatives have chosen to serve our country by joining in the military. I am so grateful for their sacrifice. We do not have to wait for Veterans Day or Memorial Day to pray for these men and women. As you travel with the Father, take your children or grandchildren to your local park and talk to them about the displays. If you are on the road, google to find a small local park. Take a prayer walk to pray for the men and women who are serving, as well as their families or for the ones who have lost someone in service to their country.
I would love for you to comment about some veterans parks you have discovered as you traveled with the Father!
1 Comment