Carolina Field of Honor at Triad Park, Kernersville
The main entrance features 12 versions of the U.S. flag that were used throughout the country’s history. A walkway comprised of engraved bricks leads to the centerpiece of the park, a 60-foot tall, 106-ton granite obelisk. At its base is a cascading fountain.
The memorial was built to honor all of the members of the armed forces; as such, the obelisk is surrounded by flags and stone markers honoring each branch of the military. Each of the five entrances to the park are flanked by smaller stone markers, each describing a different war in history.
9/11 marker: This steel beam was salvaged from the South Tower of the / World Trade Center by the D.H. Griffin Wrecking Co. Inc. / following the dastardly militant Islamic terrorist attacks on / September 11, 2001. /
This object honors the memory of those / brave and innocent people murdered that day in / New York City, The Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our / biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the / foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, / but they cannot dent the steel of / American resolve.”--President George W. Bush.
May 31, 2014
36.112500 , -80.031140
View in Geobrowse
Ando, Stephanie. “Thousands Gather for Carolina Field of Honor Dedication Ceremony,” FOX8 (High Point, NC), June 1, 2014, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
Battaglia, Danielle. “Ceremony at Carolina Field of Honor Will Honor Veterans Today,” News &Record (Greensboro, NC), November 11, 2014, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
Evans, Meghann. “Carolina Field of Honor to Open at Triad Park on Saturday,” Winston-Salem Journal (Winston-Salem, NC), May 27, 2014 (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
Hewlett, Michael. “Pushing Pause on the Holidays to Laud Veterans,” News & Record (Greensboro, NC), December 14, 2014, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
Hoffman, H. Scott. “Ground-breaking in Kernersville for Field of Honor Memorial Stirs Memories,” News &Record (Greensboro, NC), September 21, 2013 Link
Kilpatrick, Jasmine. “The Carolina Field of Honor at Triad Park Open to the Public,” Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
“Carolina Field of Honor Dedication Ceremony,” Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
“Field of Honor at Triad Park to Pay Tribute to Veterans,” FOX8 (High Point, NC), May 24, 2013, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
“Forsyth Co. Managers Concerned by ‘Potentially Inflammatory’ Wording on 9/11 Marker,” FOX8 (High Point, NC), September 12, 2014, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
“The Carolina Field of Honor™,” The War Memorial Foundation, (accessed March 27, 2015) Link
Yes
Granite
The War Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raised $5 million for the project, including the donation of park space by Forsyth and Guilford counties.
$5,000,000
Thousands of people gathered for the two-hour dedication ceremony, which began at 7 p.m. The event included speeches, music, and wreath-laying. State and local elected officials, high-ranking military dignitaries and local news personalities participated in the official program. Brad Jones of Fox 8 WGHP served as the master of ceremonies; remarks were also made by the North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory. Each branch of the military was recognized and wreaths were placed at the monument site to represent each military branch: U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Air Force. Randolph County Honor Guard and Jamestown Pipes and Drums were responsible for the Presentation of Colors; music was also provided by the Piedmont Wind Symphony.
Several months after the park was first dedicated, a 9/11 memorial was added. It includes a steel beam from Ground Zero in New York. The beam was donated by D.H. Griffin, a Greensboro company hired to clean up the aftermath of the attacks in New York.
Community officials were concerned about the wording on a marker for the September 11 attacks, which was added after the original dedication. The monument describes 9/11 as “dastardly militant Islamic terrorist attacks,” and Forsyth County officials were concerned that the language was provocative and even Islamophobic.
Additionally, some engraved pavers showed signs of premature wearing. They were replaced in late 2014.
The 8-acre Carolina Field of Honor is located within Triad Park, a large park in Forsyth and Guilford counties. Address is 9652 East Mountain St. Kernersville, NC 27284.
Community members gather for ceremonies on Veterans and Memorial Days.
Know anything else about this monument that isn't mentioned here? If you have additional information on
this or any other monument in our collection fill out the form at the Contact Us link in the footer. Thank you.
