'We know that they were brave': Bountiful Veterans Park is a labor of love for designer

BOUNTIFUL — Rob Vandegrift wasn't a veteran himself, but he's seen the sacrifices of servicemen and women up close. His father was in the Air Force; so too, were four of his siblings.

Though Vandegrift didn't serve in the military as his family members did, he's built something to honor them. On Wednesday, Bountiful's new Veterans Park was dedicated.

"I just really wanted to make this incredibly special park — a place that will be a destination point for people out of our state to come to," Vandegrift, the park's designer, told KSL.com.

Based on the initial reaction, it appears he's done that. While the dedication ceremony was reserved for Veterans Day, the park, which is located at 740 S. 100 E. in Bountiful, has been open for a few weeks now. During that time, Vandegrift has been spending a lot of time there working on a few minor things and making sure it's how he wanted it to look for the dedication.

As he's been there, he's already seen how meaningful the memorial is for so many. He's seen families peruse the names on the veteran walls while others surprise living veterans by showing them their personal granite nameplates.

"I've had people come up and tell me that this park is as good as the one in the Washington Mall — gave them the same feeling they had there, but they like the intimacy a lot better," Vandegrift said.

The park honors the veterans from Bountiful, West Bountiful, Centerville, North Salt Lake and Woods Cross. The park helps tell the stories of those who fought, from the War of 1812 all the way up through the current conflicts.

"If I went to that wall and I pointed at any name, what would we all know about that person?" Bountiful Mayor Randy Lewis asked at the dedication ceremony. "We know that they were brave. We know that they were courageous. We know that they did their duty."

"There will not be a brighter spot in Bountiful, and in the south Davis County area than this beautiful spot for 100 years or 200 years," Lewis said.

For Vandegrift, it's hard to pick out his favorite part of the park. There's the bronzed eagle that flies above the park's sign. There are the five war monuments commemorating those who fought in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and during the War on Terror.

There's the center statue of Columbia, the female personification of the United States, holding five combat helmets, each representing the different wars. There are the different American flags, including a 13-star Betsy Ross flag and a 34-star flag. And, of course, the memorial walls with etched with the names of those that fought to protect America.

"It's amazing to me how it all came together," Vandegrift said. "I think back on it, and I think how I did that — how did I design this? I don't know if I could do it again. But it all came together like it was meant to be."

The best part? There's more to come.

Two more veteran walls will be added in the spring, with an additional 10 being planned over the long haul. Plans are in place to add a family monument, a prisoner of war monument, and a wounded warrior monument along with bronze statues for each. The park also plans to have interactive educational technology. The Bountiful Veterans Park Foundation is trying to raise $700,000 to $800,000 to complete the project.

But as veterans and families come and reverently touch the monuments and the memorial walls, it's clear it's already pretty special.

"I just think this is why I did this park," Vandegrift said. "It is very satisfying to see that. This park is touching a lot of people already. That's pretty neat."

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