Deadline Nears To Donate Brick Pavers For Veterans Memorial Walk

Staff Report

July 4 is the deadline for donating an engraved brick paver in time for the ceremonial grand opening of the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk, which is scheduled for Veterans Day weekend in November at Newtown Park. 

The pavers will be placed at 10 plazas spaced around the Veterans Memorial Walk, one for each conflict dating to World War I. The pavers come in two sizes: 4 inches by 8 inches, which can accommodate three lines of 18 characters each, for $50; and 8 inches by 8 inches, which can handle five lines and the military branch seal for $100. 

“Pavers are a way to memorialize the contribution of a loved one who served,” said Wayne Kidd, president of the Johns Creek Veterans Association, which is spearheading the Veterans Memorial Walk. “And by placing their paver in the appropriate plaza – Vietnam vets in the Vietnam War plaza, Korean vets in the Korea War plaza –  it puts their contribution in a larger context. It’s an important way to remember what they did for all of us.”

The main entrance plaza of the Johns Creek Veterans Memorial Walk is completed, signaling the conclusion of the first phase of the city’s ambitious tribute to the community’s military personnel.

The plaza, constructed in red brick and concrete to mirror nearby Park Place at Newtown School, is flanked by eight flag poles, one for each branch of service and for the city, state and national flags. 

The Veterans Memorial Walk will be a serene place to honor veterans and those still serving. Each plaza with feature a highly polished black granite monuments for World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, as well as one for prisoners of war and those missing in action, for those wounded or killed, and for women in service. 

The monument plazas will be floored with donated brick pavers etched with the names of people who served.Black granite benches will be placed along the walk and in other locations within the Memorial. 

To donate an engraved paver, monument, bench, or engraved paver, visit the Johns Creek Veterans Association page. No tax money is being used for the project.