Although the economy has hit many families hard, the Georgia Veterans’ Memorial Park Foundation is making it possible to memorialize loved ones in an affordable way.

The Foundation has recently introduced a payment plan for an enscripted paver, or brick, that families can purchase to note their living or deceased loved one’s military service at the Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial.

Instead of having to pay a lump sum, families can now put as little as $10 down and pay nine monthly installments of $10 for a $100 4 inch by 8 inch paver. A doubly larger 8 inch by 8 inch paver requires a $20 down payment with nine $20 monthly payments afterwards for a total of $200.

The 900-foot-long Walk of Heroes, located in Black Shoals Park, has a total of 180,000 pavers along its memorial walkway.

Foundation board chairman Tommy Clack (pictured) said with 773,000 surviving veterans living in the state of Georgia and more than 767,000 living veterans nation-wide, locals will want to get in on the deal and choose prime spots in the park before they’re taken up.

"They’re recording the history of a loved one that’ll be here long after we’re gone," said Clack.

The proceeds from the pavers will go to complete the Walk of Heroes memorial. The plans for the memorial include a museum and multiple enclaves along the walkway to note America’s major conflicts and wars in the 20th century. To see a virtual tour of memorial, generated by Georgia Tech students, to www.walkofheroes.org

Forms for ordering pavers are available at the Foundation’s website and at the park entrance. For more information, call 770-278-7000 or 404-401-7142.