Myrtle Beach to Honor Vietnam War Veterans with New Memorial
Hey there, Myrtle Beach! Exciting news is on the horizon as the city gears up to create a meaningful memorial dedicated to Vietnam War veterans at Warbird Park. At a recent city council workshop, officials laid out an updated timeline for this special project. The best part? They’re eager to hear what you, the community, think!
Plans for Community Involvement
City leaders want to ensure that this memorial truly reflects the values and messages of the local community and the veterans who served. Chris Miller, the city’s Infrastructure Project Manager, expressed his enthusiasm saying, “I don’t want to build the monument the way I want it. I want to build the monument for the community, with what they want to bring into it.”
Miller emphasized that the designs for the memorial are still very much “fluid”, meaning there are no specific renderings just yet. However, during the workshop, Miller and project architect Jessica Wise shared some ideas. Wise mentioned that they envision incorporating a wall into the memorial, which could serve as a touching tribute to those from the Grand Strand who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. In addition to the wall, features such as benches, plaques, and lights are also part of the brainstorming process.
A Collaborative Approach
The importance of including veterans in the planning sessions is something that veteran Col. Thomas “Buddy” Styers really stressed. With 26 years of service in the Air Force, he believes that “you just can’t be told and hear the history if you weren’t there.” Styers added that “it matters a lot what was important to them while they were there.” It’s clear that their stories and experiences will help shape how this memorial comes to life.
Funding and Timeline
Thanks to the city council’s recognition of the success of last November’s World War II memorial, which was also unveiled in Warbird Park, a budget of $500,000 has been granted for the Vietnam War memorial. Styers also shared his hopes that the addition of the new memorial will attract even more visitors to the beautiful Warbird Park area. The numbers back him up! “The largest majority of [veteran] retirees is probably Vietnam right now,” he noted, pointing out the significance of this project given the number of veterans in Horry County and its nearby areas.
Mark Your Calendars!
For those eager to share their input, here’s your chance! An open session for the public is set to be held on November 19 at the General Robert H. Reed Recreation Center from 5 to 7 p.m.. And for veterans specifically, there’s a dedicated session the following day, November 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the same location.
Miller hopes to finalize the plans for this revered memorial by the summer of next year, and they are setting their sights on a special unveiling on March 29, 2026, coinciding with National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Get Involved!
This is your chance, Myrtle Beach! Come out, share your thoughts, and be part of this meaningful journey to honor those who served. It’s a wonderful opportunity to remember, reflect, and pay tribute to our local heroes. Let’s make sure that the voices of the veterans and community members are heard and integrated into this heartfelt memorial!
