Mid City Times

The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to decide on a funding initiative next week aimed at supporting a Vietnam War memorial dedicated to local servicemembers who perished during or as a result of the war.

In 2020, the Tarrant County Vietnam Memorial Foundation proposed a commemorative site to be built in Veterans Memorial Park at 4120 Camp Bowie Blvd. The memorial plans to feature artwork by local artist Michael Pavlovsky. It is intended to pay tribute to over 220 Tarrant County servicemembers who died during the Vietnam War, along with others who passed away later due to war-related conditions. Additionally, the site aims to serve as a venue for remembrance and education for both current and future generations regarding the Vietnam War.

Veterans Memorial Park has served as a war memorial site since 1950, featuring memorials, including those for the Texas 36th, a statue honoring Flanders Field, monuments commemorating Medal of Honor recipients linked to Fort Worth, two World War II-era naval missiles, and a Navy anchor marking the commissioning of the USS Fort Worth.

In November 2020, a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Vietnam memorial took place. The Fort Worth Art Commission approved the sculpture component of the park in November 2021. Furthermore, the Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department (PARD) has collaborated with the foundation to identify the optimal location for the memorial within the park and has provided guidance on city requirements needed for construction approval.

The memorial's estimated cost is $335,000. Individuals interested in supporting the project have the opportunity to learn more online. The city is considering using monies from the Future Community Partnerships Fund to potentially match up to $200,000 of the memorial's cost. The City Council's upcoming vote will determine whether these funds will be allocated to aid in the memorial's creation.

The proposed memorial plans to feature a granite structure listing the names of fallen military members according to the year they died. A bronze sculpture resembling a symbolic tree and a sword, along with brick pavers and granite benches representing the U.S. Armed Forces, will surround the memorial.

Upon securing the necessary funds, the construction and installation of the memorial are expected to occur from May to October 2026, with a dedication ceremony planned for Veterans Day 2026.