Veterans Memorial Park of Rector
“To Honor and Memorialize Those Individuals Who Have Served
in the Uniform Services of the United States of America”
Veterans Memorial Park of Rector
In The Footsteps of Heroes
Located on the East side of South Main Street just north of US Highway 49 and south of the railroad.is the Veterans Memorial Park of Rector. The park, developed as a collaborative effort between the city of Rector and the Veterans’ Memorial Park Association, was created to honor the many men and women who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Standing at rest atop a native Arkansas boulder is the replica of a WWII soldier, cast in bronze, the creation of artist/sculptor Gary Aslum. He represents all the members of the five uniformed services of our Armed Forces – Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Positioned around him are the five flags of each of the services, along with the flags for the POW/MIA, the Arkansas State flag and the flag for the City of Rector. Presiding over all the others, the United States flag stands tall, with appropriate lighting to ensure the Stars and Stripes are illuminated for all to enjoy, twenty-four hours a day.
Heritage Walkway begins at the Visitors’ Center and extends the length of the park. Along the west side of the walk are 4-inch x 8-inch personalized, engraved, commemorative granite pavers to honor our local heroes, who have contributed to the preservation of our freedom. Individuals killed in action are memorialized by special commemorative granite stones which include a description of their military service
You can enter the park at the Visitor’s Center at the south end. The building, formerly the old jail house, and then the Water Department, is now the Headquarters to the Veterans Memorial Park and the Rector Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Founders Wall,” is also an important section of the park. Two granite walls which flank the statue display the engraved names of those individuals and organizations that made substantial contributions to the development of this park.
The property that is now Veterans Memorial Park of Rector was donated to the city by Pauline Crockett, Mr. and Mrs. Sherland Hamilton, George Jernigan, and Robert Jernigan.
Ongoing support for the park is provided by the Veterans Memorial Park Association in partnership with the City of Rector Downtown Central, a Main Street Arkansas program of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Please visit our Facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/Rector-Veterans-Memorial-Park-104614578397069
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK ASSOCIATION
co-Chairmen
Mark Manchester
Crystal Williams
SECRETARY
Lindsey Manchester
Members
Melvin Bridges Steve Champs
Danny Ford Paul W. Frets
Barbara Hamilton Joel Hayes
Keith Hill Ron Kemp
Glenn Leach John Mack
Gregg Sain
George E. Barker, Major General, US Army, retired
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION
In honor of our Veterans of the Vietnam War era, Rector celebrates with a parade and honors program each year on the week adjacent to the Vietnam Veterans Day. Called “Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home” as these veterans were not welcomed home at the time of their return or the end of the unpopular war. Each year Rector does its best to make up for that. All veterans are welcome and they often come from other states.
Visit the Website: https://christah8.wixsite.com/vietnamvetswelcome
Like our Facebook page to stay up to date on our annual celebration: https://www.facebook.com/VietnamVeternansWelcomeHome/
Visitor Center
The Building that was originally the old Rector Jail House and Water Office has been converted to a welcoming Visitor Center at the far end of the Veterans Memorial Park. This historic structure is now Headquarters to the Veterans Memorial Park of Rector and the Rector Area Chamber of Commerce. It is often used for historical presentations and can be rented for small functions such as book signings.
If you would like to order a granite paver to commemorate a veteran, you may do so at the Rector Water Department office at 409 South Stewart St. Or click the button below to copy the form on the next page and send to Veterans Memorial Park Commemorative Paver Program, 409 South Stewart St., Rector, AR 72461. Prices are listed in the lower left hand corner.