Veterans Memorial continues to change

FLORENCE -- It's been almost four years since Randy Chapin became the unofficial caretaker of the memorial building at Veterans Memorial Park.

Since then, the building and its interior have been cleaned and renovated.

The outside has been spruced up and a variety of military artifacts, including an AH1-F Cobra Gunship helicopter, have been added to the grounds.

Chapin is not stopping there.

If you drive by the memorial on your way into Veterans Memorial Park, you will notice several stone columns in front of and beside the parking lot.

"The (wooden) rail fences were all rotting," Chapin said. "We just decided it would look better if we did something different."

Chapin said he contacted Alabama Limestone, the company that provided the stone used to build the memorial building in 1972. The stone being used to build the columns is the same style as the stone on the building's façade, he said. "That's why we went back to Alabama Limestone," he said.

Several columns have been built, and they will eventually encircle the memorial. Future plans include placing ornamental iron between the columns to form a new fence.

Ornamental iron gates will also replace the "cattle gates" that are mounted at the two entrances.

Also in the plans is a semicircular plaza behind the memorial building. There will be a semicircular concrete sidewalk, a grassy area and a concrete inner circle with benches.

Light poles will surround the plaza and memorial markers for World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars will be placed around the perimeter.

"We're in the process of trying to get some more stuff out there," said Ronnie Brewer, the former commander of American Legion Post 11 in Florence.

Chapin said he has put in requests for an F-4 Phantom aircraft, a tank and a propeller from a naval vessel.

He points out that the military will donate the items free of charge, but the organization accepting them must pay for demilitarization, transportation and mounting or displaying of the items.

They also have to be maintained in a way that reflects positively on the U.S. military.

Money to complete these projects comes from a variety of sources, including the American Legion, the city and donations from private individuals.

"Through Randy's leadership, we've got a plan for that place out there," Brewer said. "We've already got the blessing of the city. They're working with us real close."

Chapin and Brewer said they are confident the veterans-memorial building won't be disturbed by plans to develop a tourist attraction at Veterans Memorial Park.

An attraction in Veterans Park is part of the Retirement Systems of Alabama agreement with the Shoals that resulted in development of two Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses and the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.

"I don't think anyone would want to take on destroying a veterans memorial right now," Brewer said. But he added, "anything's-possible."

"We feel like the more we've got out there, the harder it will be to do anything," Brewer said.

Florence Mayor Bobby Irons said he does not anticipate anything happening to the memorial once the park is developed.

"It's always been at the forefront of discussions with anybody," Irons said. "It's an important part of Veterans Park, and we want to protect it in its entirety."

Irons praised Chapin for his involvement and tireless work on the project.

"I want to personally thank Randy and his dad, Tom, for being fully committed to that memorial," Irons said. "We're fortunate to have a man like Randy that's willing to give his time."

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@timesdaily.com.

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