Pay Tribute at Oscoda's Veterans Memorial Park

All of our public parks here in Oscoda offer something special. Some are on the sugar-sand beaches along Lake Huron, while others provide trails through the woods for hiking and biking. We have parks perfect for picnics and parks best suited for observing wildlife and taking in nature's beauty. But there's one park that's special because of its mission to honor those who fought and died in service to our country – Veterans Memorial Park of Northeast Michigan. As Veterans Day approaches, we encourage you to pay a visit to this incredible park during your next stay at Huron House.

Veterans Memorial Park is situated on 6 acres of land near the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base entrance. Not only does this impressive memorial site pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, but it also serves to recognize and say "thank you" to our living veterans. The creation of the park has been a labor of love. All maintenance, improvements, renovations and landscaping are done with donated funds with work performed by volunteers. Veterans Memorial Park is the site of the Oscoda Rockfest, an event that has raised more than $35,000 to support the park and its mission.

The park consists of three main elements: the Visitors Center, the Circle of Flags and the Pentagon Service Monument. Inside the Visitors Center, you'll see military uniforms, weapons, combat gear and more. The Circle of Flags is an extraordinary display of flags from all 54 states and territories. As you stroll around the park, you can take an up-close look at several military vehicles and equipment including a Howitzer and a Wrecker. Memorial benches are scattered throughout the park where you can sit and reflect on your surroundings.

Probably the largest undertaking at Veterans Memorial Park is the Pentagon Service Monument, which is still a work in progress. Modeled after the design of The Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., the monument is made up of 10 wall sections in a V design to form five walls. The inside of the wall sections are adorned with laser-engraved memorial blocks purchased by families to honor their servicemen and women. As they are completed, the outside wall sections will feature murals with images from the different branches of the military, as well as equipment and weapons systems used by the United States during military conflicts including WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Iraq/Afghanistan War. Make plans to visit the park now and in the future to see how the ongoing improvements and additions transform park over time.

Veteran Memorial Park
4000 N. Skeel Avenue
Oscoda Twp., MI 48750