A new group of the nation’s finest are now represented at Hillsborough County’s Veterans Memorial Park and Museum. Last month, Hillsborough County dedicated a memorial to veterans killed during the Civil War.
According to Hillsborough County Media Representative Todd Pratt, soldiers on both sides of the war are historically represented and honored at the memorial.
“The two gray granite monuments that make up the memorial represent the west and east sides of the Hillsborough River; the blue marble strip between the monuments represents the river,” said Pratt.
Each monument displays historical images related to Hillsborough County’s connection to the Civil War, including the gunships, the Cow Cavalry, the Battle of Fort Brooke and the Battle of Tampa.
The names of Hillsborough County Veterans killed in action during the Civil War and Florida naval casualties from 1861 to 1865 are inscribed on the monuments.
The monuments are part of the Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park and Museum which was established to provide a centralized location for residents to honor veterans of all eras. Additional war memorials at the park include Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Vietnam, World Wars I and II and the Spanish American War. There is additional space at the park for more memorials and a new museum building. A Veterans Resource Center is also located on the grounds offering services for veterans.
Volunteers are always welcome and anyone interested should contact the Center at 744-5502.
Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum is located at 3602 U.S. Hwy. 301 in Tampa. For more information, please visit www.veteransparkhc.com.
