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Staff photo by Adam Crisp/Chattanooga Times Free Press - Doyle Deal, left, and Harold Tankersley, retired U.S. Army veterans, move pavers at the Murray County Veterans Memorial Park. The memorial, which will feature nearly 600 pavers, is set for dedication May 29.
CHATSWORTH, Ga. -- A group of Murray County, Ga., veterans are honoring their comrades with a lasting veterans memorial.
The project, which the men estimate will cost more than $100,000, will be complete by May 29 when the veterans plan a dedication ceremony led by Murray County native U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Terry, commander of the Army's 10th Mountain Division.
"This memorial will be here for the millenniums ahead," said M.C. Carpenter, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. "People will be able to see this and add to it for generations."
More than 500 brick pavers bearing the names of Murray County soldiers and sailors will form walkways at the memorial. Last week the men were laying the bricks as the final touches were placed on the memorial.
Pavers recalling veterans from the War of 1812 to present military conflicts are present. Veterans say they believe there will be more than 600 pavers installed once sales are complete, and the memorial can grow.
IF YOU GO
What: Dedication of Murray County Veterans Memorial
When: 10:30 a.m., May 29
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 651 Hyden Tyler Road, Chatsworth
For more information: Pavers still are on sale for $50. Call 706-695-5301.
In addition to the red brick pavers, which feature each service member's name, rank, branch and years of service, jutting from the circular memorial are five tall, granite markers that represent each branch of the armed services. The $50 pavers were bought by families, and each of the granite markers was paid for by an individual. All the funds raised are going to the memorial's construction.
The veterans also received corporate sponsorships, and the land, which is just in front of the Murray County Veterans Memorial Park, was donated by Murray County.
The men say the memorial is all about honoring fellow service members with a monument that is lasting and tasteful.
"Just earlier today a veteran was here, and he just started to cry," said Bruce Kendrick, a retired Army major. "We want people to know about the sacrifices that were made."
Adam Crisp covers education issues for the Times Free Press. He joined the paper's staff in 2007 and initially covered crime, public safety, courts and general assignment topics. Prior to Chattanooga, Crisp was a crime reporter at the Savannah Morning News and has been a reporter and editor at community newspapers in southeast Georgia. In college, he led his student paper to a first-place general excellence award from the Georgia College Press Association. He earned ...
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