Memorial Day in the Golden Triangle

Guide to Local Veteran Memorials

In Southeast Texas, Veteran’s Day is a time to remember and a time to honor those who served.

Southeast Texas veterans have served in every conflict since the Texas revolution. Our boys (and more than a few of our girls) left their family farms, school, and good jobs in the oil fields and refineries to serve in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond. Many did not return. Many more have gone on peacefully at home, never having had a chance to share their stories.

Each Southeast Texas Veteran’s Day, families look to honor our veterans. To say, “I remember”. There are a number of veteran’s memorials throughout Southeast Texas:

Golden Triangle Veteran’s Memorial Park. Port Arthur (near the Rainbow Bridge). Located in the park there are 10,000 names of SETX servicemen who served in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Peace Time, Desert Storm, or with the Merchant Marines during WWII. The Tower of Honor, which is 50 feet tall, lists the names, rank, branch of service, and the war served in of the 930 of those killed or missing in action from the Golden Triangle. Other static displays represent the various branches of service. The displays include an F4-D Phantom Jet, an M60A3 Tank, and an UH-1 Huey Helicopter, an anchor from the Texaco SS Mississippi (the last WWII Merchant Marine ship to be decommissioned), an assault landing craft, and a seven-foot tall statue of an U. S. Marine.

Golden Triangle Veteran’s Park Port Arthur

Veteran’s Memorial. Ben J. Rogers Visitor’s Center on I-10 (near Ford Park). This beautiful memorial was conceived of and funded by The Southeast Texas Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 292. The unique design incorporates a 6′ black granite star topped with a black granite column with five one-half life size bronze sculptures that represent both male and female members of the different branches of service in their dress uniforms. Elegant, inclusive, and respectful.

Ben J. Roger’s Visitor’s Center Beaumont

Babe Zaharias Park. The employees of Conn’s gathered their funds together to make a memorial to Southeast Texas Veteran’s. They constructed a tasteful statue, plaque, and to get your attention hung an F4 Phantom jet fighter in the air above. The aircraft definitely catches eyes from I-10. When you visit, stop in at the Babe Zaharias Museum to remember another Southeast Texas Hero.

Babe Zaharias Park – Beaumont Veteran’s Memorial

Forest Lawn Veteran’s Memorial Wall and Park. Forest Lawn is part of Dignity Memorial, a group that has spearheaded a number of veteran’s initiatives including a touring version of the Vietnam Memorial for veteran’s unable to make the trip to DC. Locally they created a large memorial wall and garden where Southeast Texans can go to remember our veterans.

Forest Lawn Beaumont’s Veteran’s Wall & Garden

Heritage Veteran’s Memorial Plaza. 3810 MLK in Orange. Attractive large memorial honoring veteran’sfrom the Orange community. Special features: “Tears from a Grateful Heart” statue and the original bell from the USS Dyson (WWII Destroyer built in Orange. Each year, the Veterans Memorial Committee hosts a Memorial Day Event in Honor of the men and women who have & are still serving The United States of America

Heritage Veteran’s Memorial Plaza Orange Tx

Do you have a favorite Southeast Texas Veteran’s Memorial? Share it on our SETX Seniors Facebook Page.

Golden Triangle Veteran’s Park Port Arthur

Happy Veteran’s Day Southeast Texas.

• Daryl Fant. Publisher SETXSeniors.com & SETX Senior Resource Guide.  

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