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 Veterans Memorial Plaza - Tucson, AZ Posted by:  philbeer
N 32° 11.514 W 110° 54.951
12S E 507931 N 3561709
A simple Veteran Memorial Plaza with US Flag, POW flag, and brass inlays for all the services.
Waymark Code: WMHGRB
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 07/09/2013
Views: 13
The Veterans Memorial Overpass consists of a single-span bridge over the Tucson Diversion Channel, and a multi-span bridge over a divided highway and Union Pacific Railroad tracks. For the abutments for the multi-span bridge spread footings on top of MSE walls are used. American flags adorn the Veterans Memorial Overpass, evoking patriotic pride. The Veterans Memorial Plaza was constructed along with the overpass to honor veterans for their service.
Replacement of the Veterans Memorial Overpass was allocated in the Public Law 102-240-Dec 18, 1991 - Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. It allocated 2.4 Million dollars (80%) of the cost of the replacement of the existing interchange.
For the past two years, Tucson veteran Dale Schunke, 74, has taken it upon himself to join forces with Pima County and his American Legion post to try to keep it clean.
Schunke, who served 20 years in the Air Force, ending his service in 1982, first came across the isolated plaza on his daily trike ride along East Aviation Parkway. He sat and looked at the debris scattered about the parking lot.
"It kept sinking in," he says, realizing how shabby this tribute to veterans looks.
The as part of the overpass this plaza was completed in 2005 along with the overpass, just west of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The plaza's brickwork, benches and flagpole - which flew no flag - were to be part of a Sun Tran Park and Ride.
But no Sun Tran bus stops there, and the plaza remains an abandoned parking lot.
Schunke, commander and historian in American Legion Post No. 36, says that remembering the service of past veterans is a priority for him. At legion meetings, Schunke announces a monthly cleanup of the plaza. Different people volunteer each time, and even when only a handful come, they still come to get things done, he says.
"We're very appreciative that someone is putting extra care into this remote memorial," says Priscilla Cornelio, director of the Pima County Transportation Department.
Since Veterans Day 2012, Schunke has had an American flag waving high above the plaza, lighted by the existing ground lighting. He had the graffiti removed and a ceremony, complete with a band playing patriotic music.
Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial
Wars mentioned (Multi-war only):
None
In Honor Of: All Veterans - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard,
Marker Text:
Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard.
Who Put it Here?: Pima County Department of Transportation
Description of Memorial:
Memorial wall with inlaid circular brass plaques for each of our services, bench, lighted flag pole and parking lot.
Date of dedication: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Visited Logs must contain, at least, a picture of the monument and your GPSr. Preferably YOU at the monument with your GPSr, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
It is suggested you please include something about your visit here, as well.
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