The city of Cottonwood Verde Valley Military Service Park unveiled phase one of its planned installation on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11.
Located adjacent to the Yavapai County Government Cottonwood Annex building, 10 S. Sixth St., the site now features a 70-foot central flagpole with a 12-by-18-foot U.S. flag surrounded by five 30-foot poles with 5-by-8-foot service flags. The park recognizes residents of the Verde Valley who have honorably served in the five branches of U.S. military.
In addition to the flagpoles, a bronze Military Service Dog sculpture was unveiled.
The park’s installations mark one of the largest scale memorials to veterans in the Verde Valley. According to Verde Valley Military Service Park Committee Chairman Ronald Luce, the outlay for the park’s first phase was $30,000 to $35,000.
“Of course, to date, we have received about $125,000 in in-kind donations, from architecture, engineering, surveying, concrete work to advertising and graphic designing of posters and products for sale,” Luce said. “Our fundraising efforts have covered many facets. We have solicited straight donations, sold specially designed coins and pins, held fundraising dinners with raffles and auctions and held a concert by Larry Gatlin.
“Our committee is made up of veterans and patriotic citizens from Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Cornville and Camp Verde, all of whom are volunteers. Many have donated considerable money, as well as time to the project, which was begun around March 2015.”
Currently, the committee boasts about 30 members, each dedicated to a task, including construction, planning, marketing and general community outreach. According to Luce, the community has been responsive to the project from the start.
“What this means to me personally is knowing, in my heart, that I have a hand in honoring veterans for their service and sacrifice,” Luce said. “I felt we had a good chance to succeed. I did think it would take longer, just because of the scope of the task …. [It’s] one of the reasons we decided on a phased construction, counting on success to bring further success.”
The Veterans Day crowd gathered to witness the first phase’s completion — including elected officials from Cottonwood, Camp Verde and Sedona — was testament to the committee’s success.
In her address, Cottonwood Mayor Diane Joens praised the inter-community nature of the committee’s efforts. She emphasized that the service park was not for Cottonwood alone, but the entire Verde Valley engaged together to honor veterans.
“Thank you for the protection of our freedom,” Joens said.
“I would hope that the veterans will take pride in this tribute to them, and recognize the respect the valley populace has for those who have defended their rights,” Luce said. “As for those who haven’t served, I hope they embrace this as their means of thanking those who served and suffered for them.”
Phase two will be the installation of five service pods. Each pod will feature the names of Verde Valley veterans by branch of service.
“We currently have over 125 names to be inscribed on the black granite slates,” Luce said. “We, of course, are soliciting donations and sponsorships to further the project. The website does detail sponsor goals and has a printable inscription application.”
For more information, visit verdevalleymilitaryservicepark.com.
