The Alabama Veterans Memorial Founation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation created the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park which was dedicated in 2001. In 2023, the Foundation donated the Park to the City of Mountain Brook. The Foundation continues to provide events at the Park and to support the Park through the City of Mountain Brook.
Park History
From Kelly Ingram, the first Alabamian to be killed in World War I to the 437,000 veterans currently living in the State, Alabamians have shown true valor for their country and strong compassion for their compatriots. The Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation was created to help remember them and to help educate young people about war, peace and civic responsibility.
In the mid 1980’s, the dream to build the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park began with Della Fancher who realized that throughout the 20th century thousands of Alabamians had served in wars and thousands of Alabama families had lost the ones they loved. Yet, for all they gave, we had given very little in return to show our gratitude. This one person voiced her thoughts and quickly found other people who shared the same concern. Together, they formed the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization which brought to life the dream of a permanent memorial park to honor Alabama veterans and for teaching, for learning, and for celebration of peace and democracy. This twenty-two-acre Park, dedicated in May 2001, will stand for all time as a tribute to the Alabamians who fought and came home, as well as those who died in the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The 1000 ft Memorial Trail begins at the parking lot and winds through a natural wooded area. At the end of the Trail to the right is the American Flag Plaza. In the middle of the Plaza stands a 120 foot-tall flag pole with the American flag that can be seen from cars traveling on I-459 as they pass the Liberty Parkway exit. Encircling the flag pole are very special 4 inch by 8-inch brick pavers called StepStones, engraved with a veteran’s name, rank, and branch of service. The honored veteran can be from any service time, any state and any branch; also, they may be deceased or living or currently serving. In addition to honoring a veteran, a military unit or a military-affiliated organization may be honored with a StepStone.
The Flag Plaza was created to honor all veterans because the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation believes that every veteran deserves a tangible way of being publicly recognized for his or her service. Anyone can honor a veteran by purchasing a StepStone for a $100 tax deductable donation which goes to support the Foundations’s educational projects. They are sold all during the year and are dedicated in two ceremonies each year – a Sunday afternoon before Veterans Day and a Sunday afternoon before the Memorial Day week-end. Check the Events page for information on dates and times.
At the end of the Memorial Trail to the left is the Memorial Plaza. The six Service flags and the Prisoner of War flag proudly wave over the Plaza courtyard. The regiment of thirty-six columns is steps above the courtyard. Each column is two feet in diameter and twenty-four feet tall. Displayed on the columns are metal plaques that provide information about Alabama Medal of Honor recipients, original artwork by Alabama artists, and documents and letters about Alabama veterans. The text of the Medal of Honor citations, the wording of the documents and the artwork are also printed on the Park’s website under Memorial Plaza.
Behind the regiment of columns is the 23 by 46 foot uniquely designed Hall of Honor. Written on the Hall of Honor walls are the names of over 11,000 Alabama veterans who were killed in action during the wars from 1900 forward. The alphabetized names of the service men and women are listed by the war and the Alabama county in which they enlisted. Inscribed above the names are quotes by the United States president at the time of the war. The Last Watch Sculpture, created by Alabama artist John Farrer, was strategically placed in the center of the Hall of Honor as if keeping watch while facing the big American flag.
The Park is open every day during daylight hours. There are no bathrooms in the Park. Although entrance to the Park is free, donations are appreciated; a donation box is conveniently located at the entrance to the Memorial Trail. Dogs are welcome to accompany visitors but please pick up after your dogs. Waste bags and garbage cans are available at the Park entrance. Please keep the Trail clean.
Join Della Fancher, the Founder of the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation and a member of its Board of Directors, in a guided tour of the Park which was created by the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation. After this video was created, the Foundation donated the Park to the City of Mountain Brook and the City now maintains the Park. The Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation continues to have events at the Park and provide support to the Park through the City of Mountain Brook.
The Memorial sits in a park atmosphere created for teaching, for learning, for celebration of peace and for celebration of democracy. Visitors will view and experience the following premier attractions:
It is with honor and pride that we recognize and list the names of those selfless Alabama service members that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom.
The Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation believes that every veteran deserves a tangible way of being publicly recognized for his or her service.
Veterans and their families are the soul of The Memorial Plaza.
Participating in the Scavenger Hunt is a fun way for families, groups, or individuals to actively explore the Park and learn about Alabama’s veterans. Print out a copy of the Scavenger Hunt Instructions and take it to the Park. The Hunt takes visitors on a tour of the Park, beginning at the entrance to the Memorial Trail and ending at the Hall of Honor. For maximum participation, bring your phone with a QR code reader app and a pencil to make an etching and to record your answers.
Open the instructions document by using the above link. Print out a copy to take with you to the Park.
When you have finished the Hunt, you can open the Answer Key by using the above link or by scanning the QR Code at the end of your printed Instructions document.
Della Fancher is a native of Shelby County and grew up in Cahaba Heights. Della has 25 years of financial services, private banking and asset management and is currently Samford University’s School of Education Advancement Officer. She has a BS in Business and an MBA from Samford University. She is founder and board member of the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation.
Tom Martin has been a Board Member of the AVMF since 1989. Served in the US Army, Armor, and left service as a Captain. Grew up as an Army brat and lived in many countries and US States - moved to Birmingham in 1974. Retired Attorney at Law after 44 years of providing legal services.
Kent Palcanis received his BS and DDS degrees from Ohio State University. He served in the USAF Dental Corps with a Dental Internship and then two additional years of active duty. He received his MSD degree and certificate in Periodontics from Univ. of Washington. He spent his career in academics retiring as Professor and Associate Dean Emeritus from Univ. of Alabama Birmingham. He also served as Executive Director of the American Board of Periodontology, retiring from that position in 2018.
Native of Birmingham, joined the U.S.Army in 1974 and remained in the Army Reserve through 2003 retiring as Sergeant Major. Received the Meritorious Service Medal while mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle in 2003. Specialized in communications in the signal corps, retrained in logistics and served as Division G4 NCOIC for the last ten years of his military career. Employed by Holt AV/Video from 1980 to retirement in 2017 in various technical capacities.
Dr. Strickler is a practicing physician in Birmingham, Alabama. He served in the U.S. Army on active duty from 1969-1972 including one tour of duty with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is a member of the Alabama State Medical Association, a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a life member of the 101st Airborne Division Asso
SFC Stephanie Whatley-Farmer retired from the US Army in 2010 after 20 years of service. She entered the Army in 1991 during the Gulf War Conflict. SFC was an vehicular operator (88M), a heavy equipment operator (62E) and principle flutiest (42R) of 313 th US Army Band. In 2005-2010, SFC Whatley-Farmer was activated to active duty under Operation Enduring Freedom to support the 87 th Division Command & 313 th US Army Band. She was awarded the Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, & Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal to name a few. SFC Stephanie Whatley-Farmer graduated from WCC in music, UNA-BA in Music Ed, Columbia Southern College with MBA-HRM. She is a small business owner, music director of local church and substitute teacher. Her primary focus is her husband, Jeff Farmer and her two wonderful boys, Drake and Rhett Farmer. She has been volunteering at the park by sing the National Anthem at the bi-annual Veterans StepStone Dedication Ceremonies for over 10 years and is honored at her new venture to be the 13 th member on the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation Board.
Donna Cotney Tyner has a B.S. Degree from Auburn University. She has served the Birmingham area as a Realtor® since 1998 and has served on local, state, and national committees. Donna’s family has strong military ties. Her love for the military stems from her family’s duty of service.
Active USAF 1965-1969 and AL AIR GUARD 1971-2001. Specialized technician in Aircraft Munitions & Weapons, Aircraft Egress Systems, Repair & Reclamation, and Structural Repair/Corrosion Control. Vietnam vet 1966-1967, Desert Shield 1990, and several TDYs supporting Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia in late 1990s. Retired Senior Master Sergeant in 2001. Married to Retired Chief Master Sergeant Sherry Maddox.
Scooter Thomas maintains his affiliation with the Marine Corps Reserve and is currently serving as a Major in Current Operations for the Pacific Command. Scooter and his wife Megan happily reside in Mountain Brook with their daughter Evie and two dogs , Lettie and Macy. In his spare time, Scooter is proud to help further his high school alma mater’s mission by serving as a member of the Alumni Association Board of The Altamont School and the President of the Birmingham chapter of the Hampden-S
Robert J Sciacca MD, Hoover AL retired ENT surgeon of 40 yrs. Founder of Medplex Medical Campus. U.S.Army 1967-1973 Active Service, OCS Infantry Commissioned 1968, Vietnam 1969, Platoon Leader 2/39th 9th Infantry Div, Mekong Delta. CO HHC Vietnamese Language School Ft Bliss TX. First Infantry Div, Ft Riley KS. DTOC Reforger Exercise, Germany 1972. Awards: CIB,Purple Heart,Bronze Star w V,ARCOM w V,JSCOM,Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w Palm, and others. Left service as a CPT.
Mr. Richard F Wilson II is a native of Virginia. He graduated From Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1981. He served a total of 37 years, both active and reserve and was mobilized during Operation Enduring Freedom. He is now retired and lives in Hoover, Alabama. Rick is currently the Event Coordinator for the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation.
Fernando Valentin, is the President and CEO of The Trinity Design Group, LLC, an environmentally focused steel fabrication and industrial packaging company. Fernando is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and holds an MBA from the University of New Haven. He serves as Paymaster and previous Commandant for the Krulak Detachment of the Marine Corps League. He is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Birmingham and the Birmingham Business Alliance Advisory board.
Alex Sherrod is a Birmingham native who graduated from Auburn University and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 2012. He served as an Infantry Officer with 1st Battalion 7th Marines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. He holds an MBA from Samford University and resides with his family in Homewood, AL. He is active in his church and faith community, charitable organizations, and youth sports. He looks forward to preserving the continued legacy of Alabama’s Veterans.
I am married to Pat Donovan Hope and have been for 39 years. We have four wonderful children and four grandchildren. I served in the Army as an Armored Officer for six years. I am proud that while in Vietnam I was assigned to a true Armored Regiment, the 69th Armored Regiment where I served as 1st Platoon Leader and Executive Officer of A company. After leaving the Army I discovered the industrial supply business and for forty- five years now I have had a career in sales. I am currently in my thirty- second year with KITZ Corporation of America as manager of the eastern US and Caribbean. I am a member of Cahaba Heights United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the 69th Armor Association and lifetime member of the Military Order of The Purple Heart. I guess most importantly, I care deeply for our Veterans.
Lulu achieved a BS degree from University of Alabama, MA degree from Troy University, and is a former elementary school, middle school, and college educator, teaching in her hometown of Andalusia, Alabama as well as Ann Arbor, Michigan, Livingston, Alabama, and Birmingham. Founder in 2001 of FOCUS On Recovery, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Birmingham, that provides housing and support for women in recovery from alcohol and drugs.
Walter Bailey grew up in Gowanda, NY and graduated from Gowanda High School in 1949. He attended the University of Michigan, earning a BA in History in 1953 and a MBA in Business in 1955. He served in the US Army from 1956-1958 at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (NASA) in Huntsville, Alabama. After his service, he worked with Addressograph Co from 1958 to 1968, moving to Birmingham in 1960. He founded Southern Label Co, a family-owned business in 1968. He retired in 2020.
A native of Luka, MS, the late Merle Smith served as a Staff Sargent in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-1972, including a tour of duty in South Korea. He earned a BS of Electrical Engineering degree from Mississippi State University (1975) and a MBA from UAB (1985). He retired from Alabama Power Co. after 39 years of service as a supervisor in Power Delivery. He also served as the volunteer coordinator for the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park for their veteran recognition events and various work projects.