The Sierra Vista Veterans Memorial Improvement Foundation seeks grant funding for Phase I of the Sierra Vista Veterans Memorial Improvement Project. The grant funds will launch the first phase of construction, which includes the Veterans Trail, planter seat wall, monument pads, benches, and a new flagpole. The memorial is in Veterans Memorial Park, City of Sierra Vista, Cochise County, Arizona.
The Sierra Vista Veterans Memorial Improvement Foundation (SVVMIF) was established in 2016 to help improve the Veterans Memorial located at Veterans Memorial Park in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The SVVMIF aims to develop a diverse and rich depiction of the service and sacrifices of our U.S. Military Service members and even their service as veterans.
The project's benefit is ensuring that Sierra Vista and Cochise County communities have a place to honor the memory of veterans who have selflessly served to defend our nation. With 20% of our area’s population comprised of veterans, our current memorial underplays the significance of veterans' impact on our lives, our community, and its history. It should show the citizenry in much more detail about what veterans did and what they sacrificed in their service. We need a more fitting veteran memorial to recognize the hundreds of thousands who were residents or passed through this area as part of their military service.
Veterans often feel neglected and unappreciated, resulting in depression and self-abuse through drugs and alcohol and, at times, leading to suicide. The “Suicide Data Report, 2012,” published by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health Services, Suicide Prevention Program, reported that approximately 22 veterans a day die from suicide. The improved veteran’s memorial will significantly impact veterans and their families by giving them recognition and self-esteem. The resulting improvement in their mental health will solidify their family and personal relationships. Simply seeing an expression of public recognition of veterans' achievements and sacrifice can also motivate young people to join the military in service to their country. Among minority groups in our nation and community, there is sometimes a feeling of not being appreciated. Two groups, women and African American descendants, are directly addressed with planned monuments depicting their predecessor's service and bravery. In addition, their participation in military service and the service of Native Americans is depicted among all the other monuments.
The memorial improvements shall include a V-shaped walking path known as Veterans Trail.
The walking path, a testament to our community's support, will be lined with pavers engraved with the names of Veterans, a tribute solicited from families and friends of veterans. This paver solicitation program, a testament to our community's support, will provide a source of revenue for initial and continued improvements, demonstrating the collective effort in honoring our veterans. The paver solicitation website is located at https://www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/svvmif. The SVVMIF maintains a website at https://www.svvmif.org to solicit support and provide publicity for this project's veteran recognition efforts. A Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SVVMIF/ is a companion with an internet presence allowing public messaging. The Veterans Trail will be lined with 14 monuments, each having a theme according to the following list: The Sacrifice of Heroes, The Soldiers, The Marines, The Sailors, The Airmen, The Coast Guardsmen, The Buffalo Soldiers, The Signal Corps, The Military Intelligence Corps, The Cavalry, The Women Who Served, The Front Lines, The Veterans, and The Guardians.
The Veterans Trail, a symbol of honor and remembrance, will also feature Heroes Plaza at the apex. This plaza, a testament to our veterans' bravery and sacrifice, will house a planter, seat wall, benches, and a flagpole. It will serve as a gathering spot for reflection, ceremonies, and other events, a place of significance for military service members and veterans, inspiring a sense of unity and pride in our community.
Adding the 14 monuments will be a significant attraction for the Veterans Memorial. Each monument will tell a story of service members who served across a broad spectrum of our nation’s history by depicting a collage of images.
The following are partners and supporters of this project: Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC), Fort Huachuca Sergeant Major Association, Doc’s Watering Hole, Military Officers Association of America, Military Intelligence Corps Association, Walmart Spark Good, Disabled American Veterans, Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association Chapter 95, Marine Corps League Thunder Mountain Detachment, U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, Veterans of Foreign Wars Military Order of the COOTIE, Knights of Columbus Bishop Salpointe Council, Knights of Columbus Saint Francis of Assisi Assembly, AAA Fort Storage, Fort Huachuca Community Thrift Shop, The City of Sierra Vista, Individual Contributors, and other Community Fundraising Organizations. Doc’s Watering Hole owners contributed $800 last year and $975 this year through their Red, White, and Boots Salute fundraiser over the Memorial Day weekends. Walmart Spark Good grant program donated $5,000 this year. Individual Walmart shoppers contributed $900 during paver donation and raffle ticket solicitation during the past Memorial Day weekend. Many individuals have donated memorial pavers for their friends and loved ones. The list of those contributors can be viewed on the SVVMIF website at this link: https://www.svvmif.org/improvement-design/memorial-pavers. The SSVEC provided the kick-off grant of $5,000, which enabled advertising and design plan costs to be met. The Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona provided $10,000, which enabled a replacement flagpole to be procured, which was requested by the city as part of the project.
