About the Park
Mission Statement
To honor Veterans and to instill in each of us a sense of appreciation, respect and awe for the individuals who served honorably and who are serving in the United States Military in order to preserve the freedom that we cherish.
History
The idea for Veterans Memorial Park was originally conceived many years prior by one of the communities patriotic Vietnam War Veterans, Phil Garver. Phil envisioned a park located in the Collegedale community where Veterans from each branch of the military would be recognized and honored. During the past few years, Phil gathered information and conceptual ideas from miscellaneous memorials and their curators as he traveled though out the United States. Since that time, Phil has compiled his data and has nurtured his vision of creating a world class Veterans Memorial. With a basic concept in mind and a few sketches in hand, Phil carried his dream to several patriotic and community-minded individuals. These individuals embraced his ideas and formed an alliance to ensure the ultimate success of this project. Along with Phil, these ten other individuals make up the Veterans Memorial Park Founders Committee and its current Board of Directors. The Veterans Memorial Park was granted nonprofit status by the State of Tennessee on July 1, 2001 (TN nonprofit organization number 62-1860451).
Vision
Many of our Veterans put their lives in harms way and in too many cases, died in the line of duty while protecting our individual freedoms and securing the sovereignty of our nation. The Veterans Memorial Park was built to honor and thank our Veterans for the sacrifices they make on our nations behalf. This Memorial includes plaques, monuments and military hardware but it also offers several educational components. The Veterans Memorial Park was designed specifically to incorporate educational components in order to enlighten visitors of all ages. These componets include the 50 U.S. State flags, the sequence and dates they entered into the Union, plus their respected State Capitols. The VMP also includes a definitive time line of U.S. wars that serves to enhance our understanding of each military branch and the roles each have played throughout our nation's history.
Timeline
April 2001—February 2002
Set up nonprofit organization, define Mission Statement, develop strategies for Action Plan, file pertinent forms with city, state and federal institutions, secure property, architectural and construction planning, establish fund raising and underwriting campaigns, develop media strategies.
March 2002—March 2003
Execute underwriting & fund raising campaigns.
Finalize ground-breaking ceremonies.
March 2003—May 2003
Ground-breaking ceremonies.
Execute phases of construction & coordinate 1st Phase Dedication Ceremonies.
May 2003
1st Phase Dedication Ceremonies.
Continue development & fund raising campaigns.
May 2003—October 2004
Execute final phases of construction & organize grand dedication ceremonies.
Grand Dedication Ceremony - Thursday, October 14, 2004, 10:30am.
Spring 2005
General Douglas MacArthur Granite & Bronze Installation
September 27, 2005
Medic Sculpture Dedication Ceremony
Location
The Veterans Memorial Park is located of off Apison Pike in the heart of Collegedale, Tennessee ( 9300 block of Apison Pike ).
Accessible only by foot, the actual site is located along the Greenway Path across the street from the Collegedale Public Library.
- Global Positioning System ( G. P. S. ) coordinates:
-
N 35.03.757
W 085.04.152
Driving Directions
From Chattanooga, Tennessee: (approximately 25 minutes)
- Interstate 24 East to Interstate 75 North, go toward Knoxville.
- Pull off at the Ooltewah Exit ( # 11).
- Bear right at the bottom of the ramp.
- Turn right at the first traffic light onto Little Debbie Parkway (50 mph enforced).
- At the end of Little Debbie Parkway, turn left onto Apison Pike.
- The VMP is on your left approximately 300 yards down Apison Pike.
- Park on the right hand side of Apison Pike at the Public Library or at City Hall.
- Follow the "Greenway" walking path back under Apison Pike to the VMP site.
From Nashville Tennessee: (approximately 2 hours & 45 minutes)
- Interstate 24 East to Interstate 75 North, go toward Knoxville.
- Pull off at the Ooltewah Exit ( # 11).
- Bear right at the bottom of the ramp.
- Turn right at the first traffic light onto Little Debbie Parkway (50 mph enforced).
- At the end of Little Debbie Parkway, turn left onto Apison Pike.
- The VMP is on your left approximately 300 yards down Apison Pike.
- Park on the right hand side of Apison Pike at the Public Library or at City Hall.
- Follow the "Greenway" walking path back under Apison Pike to the VMP site.
From Knoxville, Tennessee: (approximately 1 hour & 30 minutes)
- Interstate 40 West / 75 South, follow to the I-40 / I-75 split.
- Go Interstate 75 South toward Chattanooga.
- Pull off at the Ooltewah Exit ( # 11).
- Turn left at the bottom of the ramp.
- Turn right at the second traffic light onto Little Debbie Parkway (50 mph enforced).
- At the end of Little Debbie Parkway, turn left onto Apison Pike.
- The VMP is on your left approximately 300 yards down Apison Pike.
- Park on the right hand side of Apison Pike at the Public Library or at City Hall.
- Follow the "Greenway" walking path back under Apison Pike to the VMP site.
From Atlanta, Georgia: (approximately 2 hours & 30 minutes)
- Interstate 75 North to Chattanooga / Knoxville split.
- Go Interstate 75 North toward Knoxville.
- Pull off at the Ooltewah Exit ( # 11).
- Turn right at the bottom of the ramp.
- Turn right at the first traffic light onto Little Debbie Parkway (50 mph enforced).
- At the end of the Little Debbie Parkway, turn left onto Apison Pike.
- The VMP is on your left approximately 300 yards down Apison Pike.
- Park on the right hand side of Apison Pike at the Public Library or at City Hall.
- Follow the "Greenway" walking path back under Apison Pike to the VMP site.
Dedication
The Veterans Memorial Park of Collegedale is dedicated to all of our brave and selfless U.S. Military Veterans. Thank you for all of your sacrifices. We honor your service to our great nation.
The underwriting for this website was funded by the family of
1st Lieutenant Murphy Gaines Miller, Jr., U.S. Army Air Corps, World War II.