Warner Robins Vietnam Veterans Memorial reaches design phase: ‘The start of something great’

WARNER ROBINS — The Warner Robins Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one step closer to completion after entering a contract for design services earlier this month.

During the city’s Nov. 3 meeting, the council entered into a contract with JMA Architecture, to applause and gratitude from local veterans.

According to council documents, the city began searching for bids in July and received offers from two firms, ultimately choosing JMA. The cost is estimated to be around $128,000 from 2018 SPLOST funds.

JMA was seen as the most qualified and responsive bidder, according to city documents, which highlighted positive relationships and local involvement with Warner Robins, the City of Perry, Houston County, and the VECTR Center.

“We’re happy that we were able to find someone local to do that design. It makes it even more sweet for us, someone who also values our military, military service members, our veterans and their families, to work on this project,” Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said.

Patrick said she is excited the memorial is in progress. During her first campaign, she was introduced to The Romeos, a Vietnam Veteran group, with concerns about the memorial.

According to Patrick, there had been talks since around 2011. With a grandfather who served in Vietnam, she related to them and promised a memorial.

“I said, ‘Look, I will work to make this happen for you. I’m going to give it my all to see this through, and get a Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the city of Warner Robins,’” she said.

Since then, the city has worked with the Veterans Affairs Board to keep them involved in the process. Following a generous donation, the city secured five acres of land on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Parkway and held a land dedication ceremony in January 2025.

Patrick said the Vietnam Memorial will be unique to Georgia, a symbol of the city’s heart for military service members.

“I think it’s a great illustration. [Out of] all the places and all the cities that could have tried to advocate for this memorial, Warner Robins is the one that actually did it and is making it happen,” Patrick said. “It speaks positively of our support of veterans in our community.”

It’s a cause near and dear to Patrick’s heart, as her great uncle’s name will be on the memorial as well, one of over 1,500 Georgia Vietnam Veterans who didn’t come home from war.

“My auntie, his wife, is still living. She’s here, and she is really excited to potentially have an opportunity to see her husband’s name on the wall here in Georgia,” she said.

Patrick hopes that visitors will feel a sense of patriotism as they see the names of Georgia’s Vietnam veterans on the memorial, and hopes the memorial will also show the community the importance of remembrance.

“I hope it’s a place for them to feel pride in being an American, to feel proud and appreciative of our military service members, but also a time to do a moment of silence for those families who are still grieving and mourning because their loved one never came home. It’s going to be a mixture of emotions,” she said.

Patrick is grateful for the service of veterans and appreciates the patience of the veterans who have been working through the process with the city. She said the future monument is a sign of things to come.

“We’re on to something. We’re going to keep doing it. We’re going to keep honoring and trying to capture as much history as we can for military service members and veterans in our community. It’s the start of something great,” she said.

Patrick predicted at least a three-month timeframe for JMA to complete the design process.