Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park: Remembering Those Who Served

O O O O O O O O O O Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park: Remembering Those Who Served

The Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park honors those who left the central Florida community in the uniform of the United States in theaters of conflict around the world and never returned, and is a place of healing for their family and friends.

The memorial is located adjacent to the new Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) overlooking a tranquil lake and a short walk to the campus chapel. It truly is a special place to both remember the names of central Floridians who died in declared conflicts while serving their country and to mourn their loss. This memorial is also a peaceful place for patients, families, and friends to heal, pray, relax, reflect, and connect with their loved ones.

It honors 1,186 veterans from Orange, Lake, Brevard, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties who made the ultimate sacrifice. The six counties located in central Florida are home to 400,000 veterans, and there are more former military personnel over 65 years of age living here than in any other place in the U.S. Also, there are more veterans that are over 50 percent disabled living here than anywhere else. Central Florida is the number one destination for combat veterans, and the VAMC attracts them from across the country.

A Joint Community Project

This was a major project involving approximately $3 million in combined construction costs and an endowment for maintenance of the memorial park.

This memorial was a joint project, with the use of land provided by Lake Nona Land Development, and with control of use, design, monument specifications, and events to be retained by the Central Florida Memorial Park Foundation Inc. From Winter Park, RLF Architects contributed substantial design and engineering-related services on a nofee basis. Wharton-Smith Inc., contributed construction project management, also at no fee. No member of the foundation has received compensation for services. The memorial dedication ceremony was held on Nov. 11, 2013.

To the left and right of the Eternal Arch are smaller more-private areas with granite monuments with the names of those in uniform who have fallen in specifically named wars, starting with World War I through to the present day. Each private area has shaded seating and is beautifully landscaped to coordinate with the adjacent properties.

Contributing to the Cause

Please consider helping to continue to honor those who left the community and never returned. An endowment fund was established for perpetual maintenance of the memorial and it continues to be funded by donors. Major outright gifts of cash or stock qualify for naming a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one. In addition, some donors prefer setting up a trust that provides them income during their lifetime and a contribution to the memorial as well. Donors who contribute $1,000 or more are honored on the donation walls. Please consult a tax advisor before making such gifts. For more information, contact COL DeLloyd Voorhees, USA (Ret.), president, at de.voorhees@cfvmpf.org. S