CHAARRITT IES
CLEARWATER’S
CREST LAKE MEMORIAL
Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance
By Aaron R. Fodiman
Photography by Lindsay Faye
Crest Lake Park in
Clearwater is the site
of the Florida Veterans
Memorial Plaza.
The memorial wall is enhanced with
black granite plaques that recognize
veterans’ groups and individuals.
MAY/JUNE 2018 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 71
The Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance, which was formed
in response to the call from Clearwater Mayor George
Cretekos to keep alive the tradition of celebrating veterans,
collaborated with the City of Clearwater to create the
Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza at Crest Lake Park. The plaza
has since been enhanced by the state legislature designating State
Route 60 from the Courtney Campbell Causeway to Clearwater
Beach as the Purple Heart Trail.
A memorial wall that is similar in style to the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is the focal point of the
plaza. The wall contains black granite plaques so that veterans’
organizations, businesses, individuals and other organizations
will be able to show support for those who have served our
country. Plaques may be purchased in a veteran’s memory or
in honor of yourself or a veteran you know. The wall honors
veterans throughout the Tampa Bay area and beyond. You do
not need to be a Clearwater resident to have a plaque on the wall.
For $200, you can purchase a two-line, silver-lettered personal
plaque of 40 characters on a 12-inch-by-4-inch piece of black
granite. Larger plaques are also available. A 6-inch-by-15-inch
plaque requires a donation of $2,500; a 12-inch-by-18-inch one
requires a donation of $5,000; and an 18-inch-by-18-inch plaque
will be given in recognition of a $10,000 donation. Naturally,
the honorees’ military service will have to be verified before the
plaque is engraved.
The alliance is seeking to raise $350,000 for this project that
is to be matched by the City of Clearwater. The Florida Veterans
Memorial Plaza is considered to be a prime location because
of its accessibility and high visibility alongside Gulf to Bay
Boulevard. It should prove to be a tremendous asset to both
the city and those veterans that have served this country.
A Memorial Day service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday,
May 28th at the plaza. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, or to become a donor or
supporter of the Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza at Crest Lake Park in
Clearwater, contact Mimi Lawson of the Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance
at (352) 999-6464, or visit tampabayveteransalliance.org.