A Veterans vision for Memorial Stadium

Dave Dowell
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

Note: This is the transcript of my comments to Mecklenburg County Commissioners in a public hearing in January 2017.

In the early winter of 1935 as the funding came in for what would become American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte’s American Legion Post #9 began lobbying to have the stadium honor our World War I veterans. 82 years later, a new generation of veterans are asking you to recommit to the same promise that your predecessors had. A renewed commitment that this stadium will serve as a lasting legacy to Mecklenburg County’s and North Carolina’s veterans.

According to the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2014, North Carolina ranks 8th in veterans population and Mecklenburg County has the 2nd largest population in the state. The fastest growing veteran demographic are the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who also fall in the millennial category. These are the people that this project would potentially benefit from all aspects the most. A re-dedication to this generation of veterans would put Mecklenburg County in an unique and highly viewed position.

Currently there is not a large scale memorial to our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. On the federal level this is because laws prohibit any such memorial being built until 10 years after the war has concluded, even though there is a resounding cry for a federal memorial. I know of no such existing laws in North Carolina. As PTSD takes a modestly estimated 22 veterans a day nationwide, many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will never have a chance to see their own “Vietnam Wall.” Not only will funding this project benefit soccer in Charlotte, but will provide an incredible opportunity to be a healing symbol for veterans in our community and state.

As a Iraq veteran who daily deals with crippling PTSD, I imagine a renewed Independence Park that highlights the impact and importance of Mecklenburg County’s military history with beautiful architecture and water features like Romare Bearden Park. This would be a greenway leading to Memorial Stadium with it being the crown jewel. This would be the culmination of a memorial that would create a park of healing and become a focal point for our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It would become a place that could heal the hearts and minds of those who have been effected by this unending war. It would be a places that members of this community could begin to understand the emotions carried by the Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, much like the Vietnam Wall has been for every citizen.

On behalf of the seven hundred seventy-four thousand, nine hundred fifty-eight veterans who call North Carolina home, and in the same spirit of the men and women who supported this projection in 1935, I ask that you commit to revitalizing this memorial to our veterans. I ask for you to take the initiative and the lead on making this project a beacon for other communities on how to honor our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. On behalf of those who have served and those who will serve I ask that each one of you look into your heart and in the joined spirt of serving something greater than yourselves, vote yes on this project.

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