City of Warner Robins unveils future home of Vietnam Veterans Memorial

WARNER ROBINS – The City of Warner Robins hosted a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Land Tribute on Friday, Jan. 17. marking the beginning of a new journey for the city and local veterans.

It had been a long wait for veterans to see a memorial honoring those who did not make it back home. Soon, they will finally have a place where everyone remembers their sacrifice.

The memorial will be on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parkway, named in April of 2009. The event started with Mayor LaRhonda Patrick welcoming attendees, saying the location will soon have a wall honoring the 1,584 Georgians who did not return home from the Vietnam War.

The memorial will be in two phases, the first an outdoor portion with statues and a memorial wall. The second phase will be the construction of a building.

Construction will start this year and, as of right now, the timeline is unsure. Patrick said a proposal request has been submitted, and the city will know a timeline in approximately 45 days.

Patrick said the event was for those who never walked on Georgia soil again, their families, their loved ones and those who did return but did not receive the welcome they deserved.

Patrick also recognized Bill Carey and Tom McClendon for being pioneers in the initiative, which started in 2011. 

Carey is a member of the Veterans Issues Board and of the Romeos, a Vietnam veterans group. He thanked participating organizations for attending the event and believes it is time to give their brothers a rest at home.

Patrick also gave thanks to Michael Driggers, who donated five acres of land to the city. Driggers is a Vietnam Veteran and always wanted a place people could come and remember.

“It’s because of my heart for Vietnam Veterans that I feel like they should be recognized for the service that they gave. I’m proud to be in a community that’s going to get the ball rolling and get this thing going. I’ll be here often,” he said.

Congressman Sanford Bishop was also at the event and has worked with Patrick over the past months to bring this memorial to the community. Bishop said he was proud to support the memorial and said he will always ensure America provides the highest quality of care and benefits for veterans and their families. He also said he will always make sure their sacrifices are recognized and honored.

Bishop said a memorial is a place reminding people to stop and reflect, as well as to pay respect.

“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial will help preserve the legacy of our service members, the stories of their valor, the weight of their sacrifice and the lessons we must draw for a better future,” he said.

Bishop said projects like the memorial are personal to him because he remembers his childhood friend, Thaddeus Williams, who passed away while serving in the Army. 

He then recognized McClendon with a certificate of special congressional recognition. McClendon spent a decade fighting for the memorial by challenging mayors and members of congress.

Representative Shaw Blackmon also spoke at the event and presented House Resolution 17. The resolution honors those who were victims of Agent Orange. The memorial will pay homage of those victims since they are not currently recognized as victims of the Vietnam War.

Patrick said on the wall there will be many names’ veterans will know, it will be the names of those they served alongside and tried to protect during the war. The wall will also have the name of Patrick’s great uncle, and she plans to teach her son about the war.  She said the memorial will represent something many have fought without ceasing to see in the city.

“We’ve been working so hard as a team, staying focused on each phase as each year comes in. This is the year of execution for the city of Warner Robins,” she said. “You can finally see the things we said we’re going to do and see something physical to show you that we meant what we said and we’re doing it. So, being able to show everyone that the things we could happen, did happen, it’s what really warms me up the most.”