Woodruff’s Shining New Addition: A Veterans Memorial
The cozy town of Woodruff, nestled in the bosom of southern Spartanburg County, bears some exciting news for its esteemed residents. A plan long in the pipeline, spanning an elongated seven years, finally nears fruition. Residents can soon expect to see a brand-new monument gracing the verdant McKinney Park near the heart of downtown. What makes this addition to the picturesque park extraordinarily special is its sentiment; it’s a tribute to local veterans!
The project, scheduled to kick off in early 2025, will be constructed in phases, breathing life into a concept that had been meticulously planned for the better part of a decade. McKinney Park would be the chosen site for the veterans’ memorial, a decision endorsed by the city itself. This sprawling, picturesque park, well-known for its bustling amphitheater that hosts live performances and other events, will soon host a timeless testament to valor.
The Memorial: A Closer Look
Imposing a cost of around $500,000, the memorial aims to honor local veterans who have dedicated and, in many cases, sacrificed their lives in the service of the nation. Born out of a largely public-funded initiative, the project was introduced to the City Council in late August and since then, the memorial site has been under inspection and a significant fundraising campaign is in progress.
The memorial’s unique design includes two separate monuments. One of them, a 7-feet tall structure with eight sides, is dedicated to those brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice. A second monument, bearing five pillars and a figure of a saluting soldier, is extended as a mark of respect to all the present veterans from the city. Adding to its solemnity, the American flag will flutter proudly at the monument site.
The memorial, grand in design and imbued with such strong sentiment, is aptly christened as the Woodruff Veterans Memorial at McKinney Park. The base of the monument would be made of brick, bearing names of veterans. A time capsule, encapsulating service mementos, will be placed at the site, eliciting an even stronger emotional connect to the monument for generations to come.
Construction and Maintenance
The construction process involves site excavation for wall installment and surface preparation for the bricks. Electricity conduit will be laid for future installations. Followed by pouring concrete for walls, bases for monuments, and the flagpole, the project will finalize with the installment of the two granite monuments. The city has taken up the responsibility of maintaining the site post-construction and will also coordinate events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Reflecting on the Project
Mayor Kenneth Gist expressed his enthusiasm for the project stating that the memorial was long overdue. Saluting its location within the much-loved McKinney Park, he expressed his excitement about the cityโs new addition, pointing out that the engraved bricks honoring the veterans will make a visually stunning addition to the park.
Bound by a population of approximately 5,000 residents, the city of Woodruff is thrilled with the gesture that, in a way, pays a heartfelt tribute to their brave veterans and adds to the city’s repertoire of attractions, making it an even more delightful haven.
