Veterans Memorial Park to honor local vets

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Artist’s rendering of the front entrance to the park. -Photo: Joyce Marie Tayor
A view of the future Veterans Memorial Park from the rear entrance. -Photo: Joyce Marie Taylor

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October 25, 2012

Veterans Memorial Park to honor local vets

Joyce Marie Taylor Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Thu Oct 25, 2012, 12:51 PM EDT

Jasper — Exciting things are in store for about 1,300 Hamilton County veterans, as well as for the entire community, as construction of a Veterans Memorial Park is about to commence, something which was envisioned six years ago when the county designated land to be used for that specific purpose.

On the corner of NW 15 Avenue and Chanbridge Drive and directly in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse Annex, lies a tree shaded, serene parcel of property that measures about 2 1/2 acres. Veterans Services Officer Bo Beauchemin believes it is the perfect spot to erect the memorial park to honor all Hamilton County veterans, past, present and future, and to place in memoriam those who paid the ultimate price. A committee was formed and the thinking heads got down to business and came up with a plan.

The main entrance will be accessible from the sidewalk along US Hwy. 41 and is within walking distance from Central Hamilton Elementary School. Beauchemin said it would be an excellent field trip for the students so they can learn about the different wars, patriotism and the veterans of Hamilton County.

The project, which has a total cost of about $125,000, has four distinct phases and Beauchemin expects the first two phases to be completed before year’s end, or at least a good chunk of it.

Phase I has already begun with an engineering design and site plan completed. Removal of some water oak and pine trees will follow and then structural concrete and masonry work to support the entrance sign will begin. Beauchemin said the entrance sign will be about 40 feet wide and will have a cast iron truss and rails.

Phase II involves construction of a concrete plaza, installation of two flag poles, five informational pedestals describing each war, a memorial wall and electric service for the flag light.

Phase III is mostly aesthetics, Beauchemin said, and it tentatively calls for a timber bridge across the existing retention pond, installing walkways, landscaping, benches and re-striping the parking lot as required. HCHS AFJROTC and other volunteers are eagerly looking forward to helping with the landscaping, he added.

Installation of a pavilion with a stage, along with a 200 amp electric service and concrete walkway/apron connecting to the plaza will constitute Phase IV.

The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners has already allocated $39,000 toward the first two phases of the project and authorized the road department to perform certain parts of the work as their schedule permits. The allocation was approved at their last board meeting. The remainder of the funds will be raised through donations and fundraisers.

Beauchemin, who served 23 years in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer, is passionate about his job and even more passionate about helping local veterans.

The Hamilton County veteran’s office brought in an additional $948,000 in revenue to the county last year in disability payments, Beauchemin said, and his office was responsible for submitting the claims and making sure the paperwork was properly filled out and filed, so that it could be approved by the VA.

“That’s new money,” he said. “It’s the equivalent of having 30 good jobs in the county.”

Beauchemin explained that when local vets receive money from the VA they spend it in the county. The park, he said, will be a place for them to come and relax, and know that they are appreciated for all they have done for our country and its citizens.

The upcoming Veteran’s Day ceremony will be held, as in the past, at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Monday, Nov. 12.

Beauchemin said, “The next one, Memorial Day in May, I anticipate having it right here (at the park) and having everything done.”

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