Cobb County is home to over 60,000 military veterans whose stories have gone largely untold until now. To shine a light on their immense sacrifices, the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation is building a towering tribute of a memorial.
The Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation is confident that Cobb County citizens know the cost of their freedom and wholeheartedly stand behind them and their mission of remembrance.
"Those residents who cherish our Country and the freedoms we hold dear should all feel a sense of purpose in supporting a Memorial that will be a place to honor, to educate our children and youth on the importance of service to their community and Nation," says Donna C. Rowe, President and CEO of the Foundation.
The memorial will be a Cobb County Park where generations of all ages of the Cobb and North Metro area can come to celebrate the National and US Armed Forces holidays. The park will be adjacent to the Cobb Civic Center in Marietta and contain numerous honorary elements. "Honor Walls" will border one side, displaying the names of men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Services, past and present. The Veterans Memorial Foundation has plans to preserve each veteran's legacy through QR codes that can be scanned by park visitors.
On the other side of the park, six Service Branch Walls will share the history, seal and flag of each military branch. Finally, a POW/MIA meditation garden will rest at the back of the park. A granite podium emerging from the garden will fly the POW/MIA flag, surrounded by benches where deep thought and meditation are encouraged.
The Memorial Foundation began in 2015 when Cobb County Commissioner Chairman Tim Lee and County Manager David Hankerson desired to honor Cobb's veterans. Commission Chairman Mike Boyce recognized the importance of uplifting the heroes who walk in our midst and moved the project forward.
Currently, in the first of three project phases, the Foundation hopes to complete the Memorial in time for Veterans Day 2026. Financial support from the community is imperative to complete the project because they must raise the funds required for each phase before contractors can be hired. Just $350,000 away from raising the $3.5 million needed to begin phase one, the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation is asking all who cherish our country and freedoms to show up and show out in their support of the Memorial and fellow neighbors who risked it all so we might live at peace.
Cobb County Army veteran Bill McRae was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, where he served in Vietnam and later Ft. Benning. While in Vietnam, he flew for the 23rd Infantry Division and was a part of the largest Army Aviation operation of the Vietnam War. Bill wholeheartedly supports the Foundation and its mission.
“No Memorial can ever portray the suffering, sacrifice or heroism displayed in the past fields of military history. However, with the help of the thousands of residents of Cobb County, we at the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation will rededicate ourselves to the cause of honoring those who gave us our way of life and the freedom to enjoy it. The Cobb Veterans Memorial will be a shining symbol of our thanks and gratitude.” Donna C. Rowe, President & CEO, Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation
To show your support and honor those who have bravely fought and fallen in the line of duty, donate to the Cobb Veterans Memorial Foundation at cobbveteransmemorial.com.
"I enjoyed my time in service and would do it again if they let me." - Bill McRae, East Cobb Army Veteran