As you cruise off of the three-mile bridge and hug the coast along Bayfront Parkway, the majestic sight of a mounted Vietnam-era Cobra helicopter will soon come into view. This profound, eye-catching tribute watches over the sacred land surrounding it – the grassy hills and winding pathways of its home, Veteran’s Memorial Park. 

Nestled in the heart of Pensacola is Veteran’s Memorial Park, a beautifully manicured local landmark dedicated to the entire military community. The park is home to a growing number of monuments that beautifully honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our nation. One of the most visited memorials is Wall South, a scaled-down replica of the Vietnam Wall Memorial located in Washington, DC. This somber tribute displays the engraved names of more than 58,000 veterans who perished during the Vietnam War. 

All of the monuments in the park are worth visiting, as they pay homage to the thousands of individuals who fought and continue to fight for our freedoms. The other monuments in the park include:

●     World War I Memorial

●     World War II Memorial

●     Korean War Memorial

●     Global War on Terror Memorial

●     Marine Aviation Bell Tower

●     Submarine Veterans Memorial

●     Purple Heart Memorial

●     Monument to Children

●     Minutemen Memorial

●     Persian Gulf Memorial

The list hardly stops there. Before Memorial Day, more than 100 granite memorial tiles were added to the Marine Aviation Memorial Bell Tower with the names of 361 Marines and other service members. A new monument is underway that will honor Gold Star Families, which will honor families who lost a loved one in battle. 

Your time in Pensacola would not be complete without a visit to Veteran’s Memorial Park. Pensacola and the surrounding areas have one of the highest veteran populations in the entire nation, so join us in preserving and honoring the legacy of those individuals who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The Veteran’s Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola is a 501.c.3 Charitable|Nonprofit organization that is run by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. [https://db.tt/ii1DlCj7]

[PHOTO: VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARK]