Veterans Memorial, Goldston
The Goldston Veterans Memorial consists of a multiple elements. The focal point is a black granite gable top tablestone with a laser etching of the World War II flag rising over Iwo Jima. Attached to either side are gray granite tablestone pieces that angle up to the midpoint of the center stone. The fronts of these side stones have three columns of veterans' names from World War I, World War II and Korea. The rear has veterans’ names from Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Peace Time. The rear of the center stone has the Great Seal of the United States etched near the top and then the coats of arms for the five branches of the military forming a V beneath. To accommodate additional names, separate granite gable top tablestones have also been placed to either side of the main memorial element. The memorial stands on a large concrete courtyard. Along the courtyard’s rear edge are several rows of black granite memorial stones. Along the front edge are four granite memorial benches. A single sidewalk leads from the parking area to the memorial. On the left, at the sidewalk’s intersection with the courtyard, is a granite lectern style marker with a bronze plaque containing “The American Creed.” Three flag poles, lighting and scattered scrubs complete the memorial area.
Images:
Left front stone panel |
Right front stone panel |
Freestanding left panel |
Freestanding right panel |
Center stone panel - rear view |
Left stone panel - rear view |
Right stone panel - rear view |
Closeup view of the center stone panel |
Memorial stones |
The American's Creed marker |
The American's Creed plaque |
God Bless the USA bench |
Honor of Veterans bench |
Joseph John Goldston bench |
KIA bench |
Far-off view |
Side view of the memorial
Front: “HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY” / GOLDSTON / VETERANS / MEMORIAL / DEDICATED MAY 30, 2005
Rear: LET US NOT FORGET / TO HONOR THOSE / WHO HAVE SACRIFICED / SO MUCH FOR OUR / FREEDOM.
Bench inscriptions, four total: KILLED IN ACTION / DEDICATED TO ALL THE COURAGEOUS MEN AND WOMEN WHO / MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENCE OF THEIR COUNTY, / BY HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT / OUR FREEDOM, WE INSURE THAT THEIR HEROIC SPIRIT WILL LIVE ON. / ALL GAVE SOME… / SOME GAVE ALL.
IN HONOR OF ALL VETERANS FOR THEIR / SACRIFICES TO KEEP OUR NATION FREE / BY CHATHAM MONUMENT CO.
IN HONOR OF / JOSEPH JOHN GOLDSTON / (1825-1913) / FOR WHOM THE TOWN OF GOLDSTON WAS NAMED / (INCORPORATED FEB. 20, 1907)
GOD BLESS USA
American Creed Plaque: THE AMERICAN’S CREED / “I BELIEVE IN THE UNITED STATES AS A GOVERNMENT OF THE / PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE; WHOSE JUST POWERS ARE / DERIVED FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED, A DEMOCRACY IN A / REPUBLIC, A SOVEREIGN NATION OF MANY SOVEREIGN STATES; A / PERFECT UNION, ONE AND INSEPARABLE; ESTABLISHED UPON / THOSE PRINCIPLES OF FREEDOM, EQUALITY, JUSTICE AND / HUMANITY FOR WHICH AMERICAN PATRIOTS SACRIFICED / THEIR LIVES AND FORTUNES. I, THEREFORE, BELIEVE IT / IS MY DUTY TO MY COUNTRY TO LOVE IT, TO / SUPPORT ITS CONSTITUTION, TO OBEY ITS / LAWS, TO RESPECT ITS FLAG, AND TO / DEFEND IT AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.” / WRITTEN IN 1917 BY / WILLIAM TYLER PAGE
Town of Goldston
May 30, 2005
35.594490 , -79.329790 View in Geobrowse
Chatham County Historical Society. “Chatham County Veterans Memorials. West Chatham Veterans Memorial and Goldston Veterans Memorial,” , chathamhistory.org, (accessed December 28, 2019) Link
“New Veterans’ Memorial Dedicated in Goldston,” Chatham Journal (Pittsboro, NC) June 1, 2005, (accessed December 28, 2016) Link
Yes
Granite, bronze, concrete
The Goldston Veterans Memorial Committee
$42,000
A crowd estimated at 800 people to include 300 veterans attended the dedication. The Rev. Sampson Buie, Jr., gave the invocation, and Lt. Col. Larry McCarty, chaplain at Fort Bragg, was the guest speaker. J.S. Waters School teacher Henry Buckner sang “God Bless America.” Sandra Paglia and Nathan Street, Chatham Central High School choral director, sang “Let Freedom Ring.”
The memorial is located at the corner of Pittsboro Goldston Road and N. Main Street in Goldston, NC. The park like setting connects to the parking lot for the Goldston Public Library at 9235 Pittsboro Goldston Rd.
The memorial complex is surrounded by shady trees and seasonal greenery.