History and Purpose

Garner Veterans Memorial was designed to honor all veterans, especially those who died during conflict and war. Visitors to the Memorial have an opportunity to read the brief but informative history of our war-torn past. Where our nation experienced decades of peace are reflection benches that offer a place to sit and contemplate our past, present and future.

Although we do not all have opportunity to serve our nation and earn the title of veteran, we do have the opportunity to be patriots and show our respect and support for those who have served.

The Garner Veterans Memorial Committee was established in 2006 to plan a structure that would memorialize Garner area veterans. The grassroots efforts of the committee and involvement of the community show incredible respect and support for our veterans. Made possible by $500,000 in donations from citizens, civic groups, churches and government agencies, the memorial was dedicated at Lake Benson Park on May 4, 2013. 

Service Members Honored

 
If you know of anyone in the Garner area who died in the line of duty, please send this information to Colleen Bockhahn, 900 Seventh Avenue, Garner, NC 27529 or e-mail to cbockhahn@garnernc.gov.

Other veterans are recognized on memorial bricks in the Walkway of Honor. 

Walkway of Honor

Veterans from all branches of service are honored in the Walkway of Honor. This area of remembrance allows for all servicemen and servicewomen to be honored regardless of location, age, or type of service. These bricks were donated by family and friends of those honored. 

Proceeds from the sale of bricks helped support the funding for the project. Bricks can still be purchased and will be placed in the walkway. Orders are collected until July 15th each year, with installation in late October. Proceeds from the continued brick sales support the maintenance and upkeep of the memorial.

Artist and Design

The Garner Veterans Memorial Committee accepted competitive design submissions for the memorial.  The juried competition offered excellent suggestions and  proposals for the memorial.  Ultimately, Clearscapes from Raleigh was selected as the winner and was hired to develop the memorial.

Garner resident and Clearscapes architect Mon Peng Yueh was the lead designer for the project and worked closely with Thomas Sayre, a renowned artist and principal of Clearscapes, to create this incredible memorial.

The histories of each decade were written by Craig Thompson Friend, a history professor at North Carolina State University. He generously provided this service at no cost to the Town.

Planning  Your  Visit

Operating Hours:
Sunrise to sunset, seven days a week
(The park may be closed during special events or during severe weather.)

Parking:
Two gravel parking lots are available at Lake Benson Park. 
Limited parking is available along the park’s entrance drive.
Two handicap parking spaces were recently added near the Memorial entrance.

Other Amenities at Lake Benson Park:
Walking trails
Picnic shelters
Playgrounds
Open space
Dog park

Pets are welcome but must be leashed unless inside the dog park. Please clean up after your pet.

Free guided group tours are available upon request. Contact Colleen Bockhahn at cbockhahn@garnernc.gov to schedule a tour for your group.