Monument Location
Preliminary approval from leaders on the Racine County Board have confirmed providing the land for the Monument and subsequent landscaping at Pritchard Park in Racine, WI. The Park is located 8 miles or 20 minutes from the busy I-94 Freeway corridor that runs between Chicago (90 minutes) and Milwaukee, Wi (35 Minutes) and 6 miles or 15 minutes from Lake Michigan.
Racine’s Existing Veterans Monuments
There are a few small Veterans monuments at local cemeteries, mostly plaques on rocks dedicated to early Civil War and WW1 events. Racine’s City Hall has a small plaque and bricked Red Log arrow tribute to the 32nd Red Arrow Division.
The main Veterans Memorial, dedicated 28 years ago in 1993, with a few additional plaques added later, is located at Pritchard County Park. A generous brick design and supporting plaque pedestal, with flag poles are the feature elements. Placed in the surrounding area are a few small memorial tributes, bust mostly commemorative plaques on boulders -all from various Wars.
As honorable as the existing Monument is…considering the growth and size of Racine, now is the time to build a more impactful and visitor friendly Veterans experience. The location of the Racine Veterans Memorial Walk will be incorporated into the existing monuments placements making one cohesive design.
Monuments Location
Preliminary approval from leaders on the Racine County Board have confirmed providing the land for the Racine Veterans Memorial Walk and subsequent landscaping/parking at Pritchard Park in Racine, WI. The Park is located 8 miles or 20 minutes from the busy I-94 Freeway corridor that runs between Chicago (90 minutes) and Milwaukee, Wi (35 Minutes) and 6 miles or 15 minutes from Lake Michigan.
The beautiful 79 acre Park has most recently become a tourist and recreational destination with the building of the SC Johnson Aquatic Center in 2018. Three new Multi-million dollar Sports Fields have recently been approved to continue construction in 2021.
The Park has had the unprecedented notoriety of hosting the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial on three separate years. The Wall is a traveling 50% size reproduction of the original in Washington, DC. The RVMW Project will preserve and incorporate the existing Veterans Memorials into the overall walk experience.
The commitment and support of the County Board will enhance the success of expediting the project and identifying the RVMW as part of making Racine County a Vacation destination. Local area Veterans and Civic organizations will use the location for Entertainment and Dedication ceremonies.
School visits and tours, with supporting educational materials, will be developed to provide a true “Veterans Historical and Honor Experience” for the children.
Park Considerations
As the fundraising is underway for the first monument, the Project will be constantly reviewing and updating location requirements and details. Considerations for electrical Grid tie-ins for lighting, maintenance, insurance and security will be addressed.
The Project will work with the Racine County Parks Department to ensure all location building, land preparation and landscaping meet all required specifications and approvals. Their assistance and expertise provides an immeasurable value to the final monument walk experience.
