Kent County Supports Our Veterans

The Veterans Grove Memorial has been the vision of a dedicated group of veterans for over 20 years. The initial focus was to establish a Vietnam Veterans Park in Lowell. The site was later moved to Saranac. When the Kent County Parks Department created the Millennium Park concept, the Secchia Commission adopted the project as a gift to the community. The first phase of Millenium Park has been completed and is providing a wonderful place for the community to swim, boat, fish, picnic, and play.

With future phases of Millennium Park in development, a new vision was formed to honor all our county's veterans, especially those who sacrificed their lives defending our freedom. The proposed Veterans Grove Memorial will be developed as a part of Millennium Park. Tentative plans call for: a memorial wall listing all soldiers from Kent County who were killed in action from the Civil War to the present; a reflecting pool with flagpole; a ceremonial area; a large pavilion for picnics with rest room facilities; a play area for children; and memorial trees planted in honor of each of the more than 2000 heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It will be a place to honor and celebrate the lives of all veterans who fought and died for us, for our country, our liberty, and our future. It will be a place to reflect on our past, enjoy the present, and know that our future is secure because of the ultimate sacrifice paid by all those represented here.

The new Veterans Grove Memorial is not intended to replace the existing Veterans Memorial Park located in downtown Grand Rapids, but will enhance the memory of all those who have fought and died for our freedom and democracy.If you are interested in supporting our project and would like to make a financial contribution, please click HERE