Rector Veterans Memorial

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Our Mission

To honor and memorialize those individuals
who have served the uniform services of the United States
by planning, developing, completing and maintaining
a public park in Rector, Arkansas.

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Progress Celebration Sept. 4, 2011

Progress Celebration

A crowd of more than 200 didn't let a light rain dampen their enthusiasm and support for a Sunday afternoon celebration of the progress of the beautiful and dramatic Rector Veterans Memorial Park. Highlights of the ceremony were an address by Gen. George Barker and the raising of the flags in the monument area.

"This wonderful park will serve as the home for our Rector-area veterans," said Barker, a Rector native and retired Maj. Gen. in the U.S. Army. He also serves as co-chairman of the veterans park committee.

Park Centerpiece

The centerpiece of the park is a bronze statue of a World War II soldier standing more than six feet high and weighing 500 pounds. "The big guy will stand watch over our park and our veterans' home for generations to come," Gen. Barker said.

The statue, "At Rest," was sculpted by Gary Alsum of Loveland, Colo. It is dedicated to all the men and women who have served in the armed forces of our country. Gen. Barker praised the abilities and dedication of the young men and women who are serving the nation today in uniform. "This park is dedicated to them, and we also should not forget the sacrifices their families make during their time of service."

American Flag

Wheeler Williams, a decorated Marine hero from Rector who served in the Pacific in World War II, led the crowd from the program area to the central monument. The U.S. flag was raised for the first time at the monument and he led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Three other flags then were raised -- the Arkansas flag, a "We Support Our Troops" flag and a POW/MIA flag.

Then came a moving event in which each of the five Armed Forces flags were raised -- Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard -- as each service song played in the background. Those who served in each branch of service stepped forward to salute the flag as it was raised.

Members of the Arkansas National Guard, led by Staff Sgt. Joel Hayes of Rector, were in charge of the flag ceremony.

Memorial here will pay tribute to selfless service of patriots

Significant contributions have been made to the Rector Veterans Memorial Park project and additional supporters of veterans and the community are being asked by the organizing committee to join the effort.

The impressive park, to be located on Main Street just south of the new community visitors center, promises to be of a quality to appropriately honor veterans and serve as a regional attraction.

All sizes of contributions are encouraged and may be made to Veterans Memorial Park Association, 409 South Stewart, Rector, AR 72461. Persons also may obtain more information at the association's website at www.RectorHeroes.org.

"As we embark on the task ahead to develop, build and maintain a Veterans Memorial Park in our hometown, I think it is important to reflect on why we have come together to take on this enormous endeavor," said committee co-chairman George E. Barker, Major Gen. U.S. Army Retired.

"It is our opportunity and obligation to pay tribute to the many individuals that have served our country in the uniformed services of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. They are true patriots who selflessly wore the uniform of their service with pride, dignity, sacrifice and dedication. They never let our country down and it is our responsibility to pay tribute to that service by creating a special place in their honor. The memorial park will bring our military heroes together in a very meaningful way. As a community, let's work together to honor those who have served our country as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard."

Park Committee gathering names for Memorial Wall

The Rector Veterans Memorial Park Committee is beginning a process of identifying names for the Memorial Wall at the park, which is located on Highway 90 near the downtown area.

Work is proceeding rapidly on the project and an initial ceremony is being planned for Labor Day weekend. It is anticipated that most of the central area of the park will be completed by that time. The World War II statue is in place and flags will be erected around the perimeter of the central area.

A major part of the project will be the inscription of names on the Memorial Wall. The committee will review submissions of names for the wall and make a final decision at some point later this year. A deadline for submitting names will be established and publicized. In the meantime, names can be submitted to committee co-chairman Glenn Leach at Rector City Hall. Persons should provide basic information, such as the person's name, branch of service, date of death and general details about the circumstances of the death.

The basic guideline for inclusion on the wall is as follows:

"For a name to be included on the Memorial Wall, the person must have been on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States of America and have died from other than natural causes during a formally-recognized military conflict. The person also must have at one time been a full-time resident of what is currently the area encompassed by the Rector School District."

The Memorial Wall is separate from the Walk of Honor, which is open for recognition of all veterans. Pavers may be purchased in honor of any veteran. More details on that aspect of the park may be found here.

Rector's New Visitor Center shares space with Veteran's Memorial Park

Rector Visitors Center

Rector's stunning new Visitor Center opened with great celebration Thursday, June 2, 2011, after months of work made possible through grants from the Arkansas Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Department of Heritage.

The painstakingly restored 1915 building which, in the past, housed the city waterworks and jail, is a great source of pride for those involved in its renovation and will allow Rector to put its best foot forward in welcoming visitors to the area.

After a ribbon cutting in front of the building, a brief dedication ceremony was held inside. Special thanks were offered by Mayor David Freeman to Sherland and Barbara Hamilton of Rector, George and Ronti Jernigan of Lawrenceburg, Ind., Robert and Diane Jernigan of Chandler, Ariz., and the late Pauline Crockett of Rector for their donation of the building and property. The donated property is also home to the new Veterans Memorial Park, right next door to the Visitor's Center.