In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park

Alabama Veterans 7 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Alabama Veterans Memorial Park Hall of Honor. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Earlier this week, in preparation for Memorial Day, I visited the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park located just off the Liberty Park exit on Interstate 459.

Alabama Veterans 10 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Entrance at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

A solemn place, I spent a late afternoon walking the footpaths  amongst the Memorial’s Regiment of Columns and Hall of Honor

Alabama Veterans 11 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Pathway at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

As I approached each of the thirty-six columns, I read the engraved letters by Alabama families who lost loved ones to war and the twenty-five Alabama Medal of Honor citations, describing some of our bravest heroes. 

Alabama Veterans 3 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

Alongside the engravings are powerful, spiritual, patriotic, unifying, soul-wrenching, graceful and unforgettable pieces of artwork embedded in the columns. Each original and lovingly crafted by Alabama artists. 

Alabama Veterans 5 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veterans 1 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veterans 4 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veterans 6 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veterans 8 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veterans 9 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veteran 6 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Regiment of Columns at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

After my lengthy stroll around the columns, I quietly entered the Hall of Honor where the names of more than 11,000 Alabamians who died during active duty in World War I & II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Iraq and Afghanistan are etched in stone.

IMG 8836 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now.
Alabama Veterans 13 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Alabama Veterans Memorial Park Hall of Honor. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

The walls are nearly three stories high. The inscribed names are fading. But when I stood quietly in this sacred space, I was reminded of the concluding words from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

“…they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

From the Hall of Honor, I took the wooded path back to the park entrance.

Alabama Veterans 12 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Alabama Veterans Memorial Park Hall of Honor. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Alabama Veterans 2 1 In pictures: A solemn visit to the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Pathway at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. Photo by Pat Byington for Bham Now

This Memorial Day, let’s  unite as a nation behind the brave men and women who served, fought and died for us.  Thanks to the  Alabama Veteran Memorial Park, all Alabamians have  a solemn place to remember. 

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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