Florence Veterans Park
Service Members Memorial
The main feature at the Florence Veterans Park stands an impressive 35 feet tall. Three imposing granite pillars rise up to form a pedestal on which a bronze American bald eagle grasping a rattlesnake in its talons is perched. The name and emblem of each military branch is carved on one side of each pillar. This veterans memorial was the park’s first monument. In 2009, It was named the best public monument in North America by the American Institute of Commemorative Art.
On November 11, 2008, the Florence Veterans Park Committee and the City of Florence officially opened the Florence Veterans Park after years of planning and a $2,000,000 construction. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of military members, both active and retired, from around the Carolina region.
The park, comprised of 6 beautifully landscaped acres, is made up of land donated by the estate of the late R.P. Byrd and World War II veteran and former Florence representative in the S.C. State House of Representatives, Edward L. Young.
Since the park’s inception, a new veterans monument has been added nearly every year. Great collaborative effort has been made to create monuments that are completely unique to the Florence Veterans Park - not copies of monuments seen elsewhere. Many of the park’s unique monuments have been awarded national design awards for their creativity and excellent design. The Florence Veterans Park is among the best examples of its kind in the southeastern United States.
Two main creative forces have driven the Florence Veterans Park’s outstanding monument and memorial designs - Alex Palkovich and Brown Memorials.
Alex Palkovich
Alex Palkovich is a highly accomplished sculptor who has exhibited his works worldwide. He is a distinguished member of many of the world’s most premiere sculptor’s associations including the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, the Oxford Art Society, and the National Sculpture Society.
Sculpture and contributions by Alex Palkovich at the Florence Veterans Park include:
Eagle - perched atop the park’s 35 foot tall central Service Members Memorial
Home Safe
Alone with Memories / Wall of Tears
9/11 Memorial
World War II Monument
Home Safe by Alex Palkovich - Florence Veterans Park
Brown Memorials
Brown Memorials has been heavily involved in most aspects of the Florence Veterans Park from the early planning stages to the present day. Many of the park’s defining features were contributions by 3rd and 4th generations, Bill Brown, Pat Brown, and Claudia Brown. Most of the monuments built since 2015 have been under the direction and lead design of 5th generation, Bran Oswalt, AICA.
Veterans memorials and contributions by Brown Memorials at the Florence Veterans Park include:
Service Members Memorial
Desert Storm Memorial
Purple Heart Memorial
Wall of Honor
U.S.S South Carolina Navy Bell
Coast Guard Cutter Anchor
US Air Force Memorial
US Army Monument
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
World War II Monument
Gold Star Families Monument
USS Arizona relic
World War II Monument
5th generation and lead designer, Bran Oswalt, and sculptor, Alex Palkovich, at the dedication of the World War II Monument at the Florence Veterans Park, November 11, 2022. A bronze soldier rests and reflects amongst a war-torn building on the European front.
Alex and Brown Memorials are the leading creative forces behind the park, but the park’s continued success is due to the many generous benefactors, facilitators, and leaders throughout the Florence community who have contributed their time, resources, and money.
Take a Virtual Walking Tour of the Florence Veterans Park
US Air Force Memorial
The Air Force Memorial was donated by Brown Memorials and dedicated to the park November 11, 2015. Curves and textures in its creative design are symbolic elements of flight. It was awarded 1st place, public monuments by the American Institute of Commemorative Art.
Desert Storm Memorial
This veterans memorial designed by 3rd generation Bill Brown uses symbolism to tell the story of Desert Storm. Textured hues in the granite resemble the desert camouflage colors worn by American soldiers. The crescent shape is a common middle eastern symbol and represents the military pincer movement. Desert Storm was first known as Desert Shield - The stone is resembles a shield thrust in the ground.
The Desert Storm Memorial subsequently won numerous national design awards for its creativity and use of symbolism.
US Army Monument
This modern veterans memorial tells of the Army’s transition over the last century through two large hand-etched murals. Scenes depict WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq-Afghanistan. It took artist Dan Garrison 280 hours to etch the murals. The US Army Monument was awarded 2nd place, Public Monuments by the American Institute of Commemorative Art.
Wall of Honor
The Wall of Honor is an ongoing project that began with the park’s founding back in 2000. Each year, the names and service details of approximately 36 local veterans are added to the wall. Plaques are available for purchase and can be commissioned by family or friends. The project raises several thousand dollars per year which goes back into improvements for the park.
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We have public monuments and veterans memorials across the carolinas
Korean War Memorial - Columbia, SC
