For Bud Soesbee and Norman Wheeler, this Veteran’s Day will be more than just a moment on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember our veterans. That’s because the newly completed stage area on the Walk of Heroes at the Veteran’s Memorial Park is ready for its debut at the annual Veteran’s Day commemorations on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.

The decade-plus project recently completed the $1.2 million second phase, which includes the stage, flag poles, infrastructure for the walk, marble and bronze plaques and partially completed walkway.

Although there area many unfinished portions – the enclaves for each of the major wars in the 20th century designed to function as a teachable class space, the home front section, a museum and amphitheater – the park is finally coming to life off the page.

Wheeler explained they decided to concentrate on finishing sections of the Walk so that it could be usable to the public even as it was being constructed.

Visitor David Butch Elder said his father, who died a few years ago and had been a Marine in Pearl Harbor, would have loved to see the memorial.

The whole project will cost an estimated $25 to 26 million, mostly out of federal grants and funds, when completed. Organizers hope to raise a significant portion of the costs through sales of memorial pavers, about 168,000 of which will be available to put into the walk itself.

For more information on donating or purchasing pavers, visit www.walkofheroes.com or call 1-800-CONYERS. - M.K.