Veterans Memorial in Pendleton, SC

Veterans Park was established in 1973 when Beloit-Kleinweffers Textile Machinery Corporation deeded 24.778 acres to the Town of Pendleton for $5 to honor an agreement they had with the town.

In the early 80s, Sgt. Jimmy L. Manley of the Paul/Dewitt Duncan Pendleton American Legion Post 113 approached Town Council and requested that the park be named Veterans Park in honor of all our Veterans.

Baseball fields had been built there as well as a picnic shelter. In 2005 "Pendleton Pride In Motion" organized and raised the money for a community built playground called Barrett's Place.

After the build, they created a group called "Friends of the Park" to insure continued maintenance on the playground and work with the town of Pendleton to make Veterans Park the best it can be.

Volunteers with "Friends of the Park" created 2 more picnic shelters, a beautiful walking trail called Trotter's Trail and continues to work with Pendleton Recreation Association and the town on a fundraising campaign for the ball fields called "Step Up To The Plate".

Also, one of the original goals of "Friends of the Park" has been to create a Veterans Memorial at the park to recognize all our Veterans. Some moneys were raised for that cause through fundraisers and donations keeping it separate from the money being raised for the ball fields.

The dedication of the Veterans Memorial was November 11, 2014. Engraved pavers to honor Veterans (living or deceased) are now on sale and the form is available below or through the town website or may be picked up at Town Hall. The engraved pavers will be installed in the patio area of the Memorial and only names of Veterans will be displayed there. However, you may purchase a paver in the name of a business, church, organization, or non veteran individual to be placed in the "Friends of Veterans" Pathway.

In 2010 "Friends of the Park" became an independent 501c3 organization.

The Veterans Memorial Committee worked hard to make progress on a Veterans Memorial and with the approval of the Town of Pendleton, it was thought that the building of the memorial could work in conjunction with the turning of the ball fields placing it at the corner of Lebanon Rd and Long Rd. At that time Lynne Parker designed a memorial which was approved by the town and by Friends of the Park but over the years the town has not been able to make much progress in re-doing the ball fields and since the memorial depended on the fields being turned, it became quite evident that our plans would have to change if we were going to have a Veterans Memorial anytime soon.

The Veterans Memorial Chairperson, Joan Kelly, and her committee started the ball rolling to change the location and the design in order for it to be a more reachable goal. The committee set a completion date of Veterans Day 2014 on November 11. This dream was finally becoming a reality.

The money previously raised specifically for the memorial (approximately $12,000) will be used plus the sale of these engraved pavers, donations and more fundraisers.All donations are appreciated and are tax deductible. You may pick up a form at town hall or from any of the "Friends of the Park" members. You can also print from the Town of Pendleton Website by going to Town Projects - Veterans Park.

Contact Kim Beck or Joan Kelly for more information.You do not have to be from Pendleton to have a paver in your name. You may want to include the rank, branch of service and dates of service. If you are a Veteran, please know that we appreciate your service and hope that you will purchase a paver and be a part of this great memorial.

Only Veterans Names will go in the Memorial but we will also have a "Friends of Veterans Pathway" where other names can go such as business, church, organization, and non veteran supporters.

Thank you to all those presently serving our country and all those who are Veterans.

Branches of Service:

• Army
• Air Force
• Navy
• Marines
• Coast Guard

The Veterans Memorial will be on Long Road between the entrance to Barrett's Place Playground/Trotter's Trail and the ball fields. Long Road is off of Lebanon Road in Pendleton SC.