Veterans Wall of Honor
All Who Serve Sacrifice
Some Who Serve Sacrifice All
Welcome to the Veterans Wall of Honor, honoring all veterans of our Armed Forces who have served in peace and war since the Revolutionary War. In the spring of 2001 Leonard Eisert, one of the founding Directors, presented the idea for a monument to a group of six (6) interested veterans. Out of that meeting was formed the Veterans Council. The Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas was incorporated in the State of Arkansas in 2001 and is a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization. The Council broke ground on October 1, 2003 and dedicated this impressive structure on November 6, 2004 before a huge crowd headed by the late Lt. Governor Winthrop Rockefeller.
A visitor, after passing under the massive arch, will note the 36-foot time line, displaying major military events from 1776 to 2006. On the walls to the right and left rear, one finds 63 bronze historical plaques summarizing events displayed on the time line. The monument is circled by 18 historical flags. As the visitor proceeds inside, he sees the beautiful fountain and is amazed by
the 4,167 incised veterans’ tablets mounted on the 24 walls. One of the major objectives of the Veterans Council is to inform school groups and the general public of the contributions made by our veterans to secure our nation’s freedoms. The Council is also a partner in the Veteran’s History Project sponsored by the Folklife Center in the Library of Congress.
Architect’s Statement
The architectural process enables man’s primal need to create forms that outlive us. Forms that reflect and honor the human purpose and celebrate the constant renewal of our existence.
This monument employs the circular enclosure as the form that historically has offered safe keeping for those contained within and currently for those honored here.
The introduction to this monument is through an entrance arch where the visitor is directed toward three concentric circular walls. Walls disposed to reveal in sequence: a time line of military events from the country’s inception to the present, a graphic elaboration of those events, and a graphic review of military symbols and inceptive statements.
Granite tablets containing engraved names and service reference of these veterans are mounted on the inner face of all circular walls. Focus of the tableau is directed to the central gathering area where visitors can reflect on the service and sacrifices made throughout our military history.
The visitor-observer then becomes the observed by that focus, becomes one with those honored and accepts their dedication as his own.
A bubbling fountain at the center of the gathering area suggests a constant vigil preserving and protecting the process and spirit of our free society…
Leonard V. Watten
Architect-Director
Veteran’s Wall of Honor
Erected 2012 by the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas and Many Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: Military.
Location. 36° 26.01′ N, 94° 13.792′ W. Marker is in Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Veterans Way, Bella Vista AR 72714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Revolutionary War (a few steps from this marker); Lewis & Clark Expedition (a few steps from this marker); War of 1812 (a few steps from this marker); The Alamo (a few steps from this marker); Mexican War (a few steps from this marker); The War Between the States (a few steps from this marker); War with Spain (a few steps from this marker); World War I (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bella Vista.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on February 15, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.