Atlanta veterans approach Vietnam War memorial in Piedmont Park

It’s taken years, but a group of veterans here in Atlanta say they’re close to building a Vietnam War memorial in Piedmont Park.

The group Sons of Atlanta has been working since 2015 to build the memorial near the 14th Street entrance to Piedmont Park.

“It’s been a journey because we started the memorial locating project,” said Eldson McGhee of Sons of Atlanta.

The names of more than 240 Vietnam veterans from Atlanta and eight other Fulton County cities, who never returned home, will be displayed on the wall to honor their service and sacrifice.

One of them will be Arthur, the brother of Valerie Belt-Jones. He died in service in 1970 at the age of 19.

“It’s so enlightening to know that his ultimate sacrifice will not be in vain,” Belt-Jones said.

Council member Michael Bond worked with the group to get the memorial built. He said the council is expected to vote on awarding a contractor in the next two to four weeks. The work will last between six and nine months.

“I think if they had survived and come back to Atlanta, they would have worked to make it a better city,” McGhee said.

The Atlanta Sons hope to have it ready by Memorial Day next year.

“It gives me some comfort. I hate that my parents aren’t here to see this,” Belt-Jones added.

The group also plans to install memorial bricks leading to the memorial where the public can write a veteran’s name. You can find out more about the project and how to purchase a brick here.