Veterans Park Amphitheater facts for kids
| Full name | Veterans Park Amphitheater |
|---|---|
| Address | Corner of Oglethorpe Blvd and Front Street; Albany, Georgia |
| Coordinates | 31°34′28″N 84°08′55″W / 31.5745°N 84.14858°W |
| Owner | Albany Parks & Recreation; Albany, Georgia |
| Type | Amphitheater |
| Capacity | 2,500 |
The Veterans Park Amphitheater is a large outdoor stage area in Albany, Georgia. It has seats for 2,500 people. This amphitheater is part of a bigger complex that includes the Albany Civic Center and the Albany Municipal Auditorium.
When it first opened in the 1980s, the amphitheater was a main spot for two big yearly events. These were River Days in the spring and Fall on the Flint. Today, it's mostly used for fun concerts and important celebrations. These include Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
Remembering the Vietnam War
In 1989, a special monument called The Veterans of the Vietnam War Memorial was built. You can find it at the entrance of Veterans Park. The idea for this monument came from John Griffin, a Vietnam veteran. He was also awarded a Purple Heart.
John Griffin designed the monument himself. It was carved from a huge block of Georgia granite, weighing 24,000 pounds! The monument lists the names of 42 soldiers. These brave soldiers from Dougherty and Lee County died during the Vietnam War. John Griffin shared that everything, from the designs to the materials and all the hard work, was done by Georgia veterans who served in that war.
Honoring World War II Heroes
On November 11, 2013, a very large crowd gathered at the Veterans Park Amphitheater. They were there for the special unveiling of The World War II Memorial. The Albany American Legion Post 30 and the SOWEGA Veterans Coalition worked for over two years to create this monument.
They decided not to put individual names on the memorial. This was because they worried they might accidentally miss someone. Instead, they listed all the important battles from the war. Charles Nicholson, who helped lead the project, said the huge granite monument cost $19,000. It is 19 feet long, 11 feet tall, and weighs 11 tons! All the money for it came from donations.
Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard spoke at the dedication. She said, "America has celebrated Veterans Day since 1919. But we are here to celebrate the men and women who served, fought and died for our freedoms in World War II. This monument will stand as a reminder to the people of Southwest Georgia that the sacrifices of the men and women who served will not be forgotten."
