About the Memorials

  1. History
  2. Irving Veterans
  3. World War I
  4. World War II
  5. Korean War
  6. Vietnam War
  7. Post-Vietnam Wars

History of the Memorial

Veterans Memorial Park Sketch Bob Romano, a former councilman, presented a vision for an Irving veterans memorial to the City Council in 1998. Mayor Morris Parrish asked Romano to appoint and chair a committee to oversee the project. The original Irving Veterans Memorial Park Committee consisted of Romano; Bob Moffatt, secretary; Thomas Prague, treasurer; and members Louise Anderson, Douglass Bales, Ann Danford, John Danish, Jack Gray, Scott Hannah, Tally Parker and Shel Stern.

The City Council authorized the committee to use two acres of land adjacent to the Central Library for the memorial. To finance the first phase of construction and increase public awareness of the project, committee members sold commemorative clay bricks. In addition, Mayor Joe Putnam and the City Council agreed to provide $140,000 for the construction of Phase I.

Veterans Memorial Park Flags Work began on Phase I early 2004. Many contractors donated their efforts and helped bring the project in under budget. The main feature in Phase I was the curved Wall of Commemoration. The wall’s large plaques contain the names of Irving residents who died while in service to their country. Additional features in Phase I include the Plaza of Flags representing the United States, State of Texas, City of Irving, and the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and POW-MIA. The Walk of Honor was created by placing commemorative engraved clay bricks in the sidewalk. The first phase of the memorial was dedicated May 23, 2004.

Veterans Memorial Park Fountains In the summer of 2004, John Danish became chairman of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee, and Ann Danford was named secretary. In 2006, Mayor Herbert A. Gears and the City Council included funding for the expansion of the memorial in a citywide bond election. Irving voters approved issuing $3 million in general obligation bonds to complete the Irving Veterans Memorial Park. Features included in the expansion were the Pool of Hope, the Perpetual River of Freedom, and the Plaza of the World, which includes bronze medallions marking areas of major U.S. military conflict. Engraved granite memorial blocks purchased by donors are on battlement walls throughout the grounds. The completed memorial park was dedication on May 17, 2009. On the day of the dedication, a time capsule was sealed in this wall. The capsule is to be opened on Memorial Day, 2109.