Our area is rich in military history and appreciation and there are many ways you can take part. Memorial Day in Southeast Texas is a time to show your respect and maybe learn something about the people who served our country. While many associate Veterans Day and Memorial Day with service, they are not the same. Veterans Day we say thank you for your service and Memorial Day, we remember the fallen. It’s also the perfect opportunity to visit places that showcase the military history in our area. From museums to memorials, there are several unique places in Southeast Texas where Veterans are honored. You can stop by with your family to show them the different ways we remember those who served our country.
2016 Memorial Day Programs:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home
4955 Pine Street
Beaumont, Tx 77703
10:00 am
The ceremony, which will honor fallen soldiers in all branches of the armed services, will be held in the chapel of the funeral home grounds. The Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group will present the colors and taps. Bagpipes will also be played. The guest speaker is LTC Brad A. Bane of the US Army. Food and refreshments will be provided. You can stop by the Veteran’s Memorial Wall and park after the ceremony. The beautiful garden area features names etched on large stone walls along with sitting benches.
Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park
3100 Gulfway Drive
Port Arthur, Tx 77642
2:00 pm
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park which will include the Community Band of Southeast Texas and the Sons of the Confederacy. The concert begins at 2:00 p.m. with the program starting at 2:30 p.m. featuring the presentation of colors, playing of taps and a dove release.
For the Kids:
Children's Memorial Day Story Time & Craft
Theodore Johns Branch Library
4255 Fannett Road
Beaumont, Texas, 77705
May 25, 2016
4:30 pm
For this special story time, organizers will be reading three stories and also do a Memorial Day craft. The books that will be read will all focus on veterans and Memorial Day and include: "H is for Honor" by Devin Scillian, "Hero Mom" by Melinda Hardin and "Memorial Day Surprise" by Martin Golding.
Patriotic Banner Project: Michael's Kids Club
May 28, 2016
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
$2
For this fun craft kids will make a patriotic felt banner to take home. The red, white and blue colors includes cute stars and is a basic project kids 3 and up can enjoy. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in. $2 per project, supplies are included. Parent or guardian must remain on premises during the event.
Museums & Memorials:
Clifton Steamboat Museum
8727 Fannett Rd
Beaumont, Tx 77705
Mondays, 8:30 am - 11 am or by appointment
$4 - $5
The theme of the Clifton Steamboat Museum is “Heroes… Past, Present and Future,” honoring both our military and civilian heroes. The museum exhibits bring to life the wars fought in Southeast Texas and Louisiana, as well as World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam. The History of the United States Military Uniforms Exhibit is on display through the end of the May.
Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitors Center
5055 IH-10 South
Beaumont, Tx 77795
Visit the beautiful Veterans Memorial in front of the Ben J. Rogers Visitors Center near Ford Park. Created by Beaumont native, Ron Petitt, the unique design incorporates a 6' black granite star topped with a black granite column with five one-half life size bronze sculptures that represent both male and female members of the different branches of service in their dress uniforms.
Babe D. Zaharias Park
1750 Interstate 10 East
Beaumont, TX 77702
Check out a huge F4 Phantom jet fighter in the air above a statue and plaque to honor veterans. The employees of Conn’s raised the money to build the memorial. When you visit the memorial, check out the Babe Zaharias Museum.
Temple to the Brave
1350 Pennsylvania
Beaumont, Tx 77701
The Temple to the Brave (located in Pipkin Park in downtown Beaumont) was built by the Daughters of the America Revolution in memorial to those who died in World War I. The date of the dedication - October 18. 1931 corresponds to the day 18 years earlier when American forces suffered some of the heaviest casualties of the war.
Veterans Memorial Park and Bridge
Highway 87
Port Arthur, Texas 77640
Bring your family to honor those who have served our country. The Veterans Memorial Bridge Park has walls with the names from Orange and Jefferson county’s living and deceased veterans from the Spanish American War to Desert Storm. The Tower of Honor contains the names of local soldiers killed in action or missing in action. The park is open from dawn to dusk, year-round.
Sabine Pass Battleground
Hwy 87 South
Sabine Pass, TX 77655
Daily, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
The Sabine Pass Battleground really puts you in the moment of what a battle may have been like. The area in Sabine Pass is a significant Civil War battlefield where a small band of heroic Confederate soldiers defeated four Union gunboats and prevented Union forces from getting into Texas in 1863. The site features a bronze statue of Confederate Lt. Richard “Dick” Dowling, who led 46 men to victory and an interpretive pavilion illustrating the story of the battle.
If you have any other Memorial Day events going on, let us know!
