Posted on 12/15/2003 9:07:15 AM PST by CFW
Plan raises lofty tribute to veterans
By PLOTT BRICE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
LEXINGTON -- An Alabama-based non-profit group has ambitious plans to honor American veterans with a memorial park in Oglethorpe County including a 550-foot flagpole which promoters say would be the tallest in the world.
The U.S. Armed Forces Tribute Foundation has a contract to buy about 1,400 acres near U.S. 78 and the Oglethorpe-Wilkes county line.
The flagpole, to cost around $1.2 million, would rise 250 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty and be only five feet shorter than the Washington monument, promoters say. The pole would weigh 38,000 pounds and be 29 feet around at its base. It would fly a U.S. flag measuring about 100 feet by 300 feet.
Long-range plans also include a lodge, a museum and a field of 100 flags surrounding the towering flagpole. The flags would represent the five branches of the military and the various companies within each branch.
Foundation vice president Sam Hurst, of Gadsden, Ala., said the group looked at sites in five southeastern states before settling on Oglethorpe County. Other sites were too mountainous or too close to an airport, she said. The foundation hopes to finance the project through the sale of $35 paving stones, $65 memorial bricks and $30 T-shirts.
"This is not the military building a memorial. And those who served shouldn't have to build [one]," said Hurst. "This is about families and loved ones of those who served doing something for them."
Hurst and foundation president Katrina Clower, of Piedmont, Ala., said they began planning the monument during a conversation about patriotism on July 4, 2001 -- before either the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks or the war in Iraq.
"People had forgotten about all those who served," Clower said. "I know young high school kids who knew nothing about Pearl Harbor. They knew nothing about the sacrifices others have made for them."
Hurst said the park will not be about any particular war nor the causes of any war, but the people who served in them.
When completed in spring 2006, the Oglethorpe flagpole would tower more than 100 feet above the pole in Amman, Jordan, that now is the world's tallest, said Bo Greene of Flags USA, the Texas-based company that plans to build the Oglethorpe pole. The tallest flagpole in the United States, located in Laredo, Texas, rises 308 feet, Greene said.
Hurst said they plan to complete the first phase of construction by spring 2006. The first phase will include the field of flags and walls bearing names of those who served. Later, the group plans to build a museum, a chapel, camping sites and, eventually, a lodge.
"I think people would welcome that in Oglethorpe County," said Ralph Maxwell, editor-publisher of the Oglethorpe Echo, the county's weekly newspaper. Still, he said, "I think there is probably some concern. That's pretty ambitious. That's a lot of money."
About 35 people showed up at the Lexington library this week to hear Hurst outline the plan and to ask questions.
"You know, I'm going to check them out," said Scott Wentworth, 45, an Oglethorpe farmer. "If they are for real, then I am sold. This would be perfect for Oglethorpe County."
Wentworth said he believes the memorial will fit comfortably in Oglethorpe, which is named for Georgia's founder and has a high school football team called the Patriots. Wentworth said he and other county residents want to avoid large commercial projects.
"Not Wal-Marts and massive building," he said. "We want to retain the rural character of this county, and this is the kind of development that lets us do it. It would create jobs and attract tourists."
Jennifer McClean, 19, said, "It is an awesome idea for many reasons. It's a chance to show our support. I agree, Oglethorpe is the right county."
Hurst said when the museum is complete, any veteran who wishes can be videotaped telling his or her story of service.
"Can you imagine what it would be like if we could watch a videotape of someone who served in the Revolutionary War? Perhaps we can record history of those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, so that future generations can understand and appreciate the sacrifice," Hurst said.
"We can hope that there will be no more wars," she said. "But the fact is, millions serve every day around the clock for our country. It will probably always be like that."
Hurst and Clower say they will move to the Oglethorpe area to oversee the project.
"We're going to see this through," said Hurst, 64. "And it's not like we have a lot of time left, so we'd like to see it done soon."
MORE INFORMATION:
Anyone interested in more information or making a donation can call 1-800-311-4070 or write to P.O. Box 490, Centre, Ala., 35960.
Donations for the park can be made to Commercial Bank, P.O. Box 306, Crawford, GA 30630.
"Can you imagine what it would be like if we could watch a videotape of someone who served in the Revolutionary War? Perhaps we can record history of those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, so that future generations can understand and appreciate the sacrifice," Hurst said.
I think this will be a great addition to the museum. Just think, veterans can record their thoughts and experiences from the war, then their great-great-great-grandchildren can listen to it years from now.
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