Honor, reflection and education: Those are the goals for a unique Southern Arizona living memorial that a group of local volunteers is spearheading for first responders and veterans.
“At this point in time there is nothing to honor the veterans and first responders here in Southern Arizona. We really want to a place to honor those who have served in the past, those who are serving today and those who will serve tomorrow,” said Curtis Stowell, a member of the Southern Arizona Veterans and First Responders Living Memorial Task Force.
The memorial will take shape on 1½ acres donated by the town of Oro Valley at Naranja Park, 810 W. Naranja Drive.
Plans for the site include a colored concrete slab in the shape of star that will measure nearly 190 feet across. The star is emblematic of first responders and each of its five points will represent a branch of the Armed Forces — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps.
At the center of the star, a 24-foot vertical metal sculpture symbolic of the Medal of Honor will feature words of tribute; personal messages in honor or memory of loved ones will be inscribed on 500 brick pavers available for purchase by the public. Sculptural walls will honor police, firefighters and the many first responders who Stowell said “make sacrifices on a daily basis throughout Southern Arizona.”
The memorial will also feature multiple seat walls and sitting areas in which to relax and reflect as well as the Pathway of Heroes and a walking path around the perimeter of the star that provides access to a 250-seat amphitheater on the north side of the memorial. The entire area will be highlighted by shade trees and native plants and offer scenic views of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
The living memorial is distinctive in that it honors not only veterans, but also first responders, according to Dick Eggerding, 84, who formed the community task force to explore the concept several years ago.
“I have been volunteering in Oro Valley for almost 30 years and I have met lots of people who are first responders. I have seen the benefits of first responders and the tragedy of first responders. You can pick up the newspapers every day and see all that they do for our communities. This memorial honors their efforts along with those of veterans, which makes it unique. Everyone who hears about it is very enthusiastic,” said Eggerding.
Eggerding, who served in Army counter-intelligence in Korea, said the unusual memorial also seeks to provide a site for education and meditation in the midst of a multi-use park boasting soccer fields, an archery range, an off-leash dog park and hiking trails.
“We deliberately located it in a park so that when young people come to play ball, they see that these are the people who made it possible for them to play ball every day,” he said.
The memorial and amphitheater will also serve as an event site as well as an educational facility.
“It can be used not only for ceremonies and gatherings, but also for field trips so children can come and see all that their parents, grandparents, neighbors and so many others have given in the way of sacrifice for the community and the service of the nation,” said Stowell, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War.
The vision has been embraced by many local businesses — including CAID Industries and the WLB Group — and supported by nonprofits, veterans’ organizations and individuals, according to Eggerding. The task force will launch a formal fundraising campaign within the next few months and seeks to secure 90 percent of funding prior to breaking ground for the memorial.
He emphasized that additional support will be needed to bring the memorial to fruition and hopes to promote awareness through efforts such as the upcoming Veterans and First Responders 5K and Memorial Mile and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, May 20, at Naranja Park.
The fundraiser, which is sponsored by Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, is an opportunity to engage the entire community, according to coordinator Todd Lutz.
“The idea is to have people of all different abilities and ages and make it a family fun event—something where we have two or three generations participating,” he said.
Eggerding said that the run will also offer an opportunity to view the future site of the memorial and the task force is excited to showcase the scenic location in Oro Valley
“The memorial overlooks the mountains and the view is just spectacular; it is really going to be something that Southern Arizona can be proud of,” said Eggerding.
