In a beautiful setting on the southern end of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, Veterans Memorial Park stands is an impressive tribute to our nation’s brave service members. Located adjacent to the New Mexico State Veterans Home, the park is open 24/7 year round. Dedicated to all who gave their lives in service to our country, the park includes the Wall that Heals, the Walk of Education, the Hamilton Museum and the Columbarium.
The Wall That Heals speaks not only to the loss, but of the lives of 58,420 men and women named on the wall – our parents, children, neighbors and friends.
- Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Wall That Heals
Among the park’s stirring attractions is The Wall That Heals, a powerful tribute born from a traveling exhibition. After three years of touring the nation, this half-scale version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. found its eternal home in Truth or Consequences New Mexico in 2003, thanks to contributions from local business patrons.
Honoring the Fallen
Honoring an incredible 58,420 men and women, the Wall immortalizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. Those honored on The Wall include 13,303 18-year-olds, 31 sets of brothers, 154 Medal of Honor Recipients, 8 women who served as nurses, and three sets of fathers and sons, including the war’s first casualty, Richard B. Fitzgibbon, whose son was killed nine years later. The Wall’s solemn surface reflects their stories – stories of youthful soldiers, sibling warriors, Medal of Honor Recipients, nurses, and families forever marked by loss.
A Lasting Tribute
Visiting the Wall can evoke a deep well of emotions, stirring profound respect and gratitude for those who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. In 2018, the original traveling wall was replaced with a granite version, preserving the names of the fallen for future generations.
The Hamilton Museum
Located within Veterans Memorial Park, the Hamilton Military Museum is a treasure trove of military history. From showcasing memorabilia of the legendary Buffalo Soldiers and our country’s many wars to recounting the exploits of local heroes, the museum serves as a poignant reminder of our shared past. Dedicated in 2009, the museum was made possible thanks to donations from service members, both active and retired, and their families.
Inside the Museum
A visit to the Hamilton Military Museum is akin to stepping into a portal through time. All who visit will find themselves moved by what they see and read as they connect to our shared past – the many conflicts that claimed so many American lives. Whether you are personally connected through loss or simply a visitor paying respects, you will find the Hamilton Museum’s remarkable collection of military artifacts will take you on a fascinating and emotional journey.
Evolving Collection
A living testament to those who served and gave their lives, the museum is continually being updated. This dynamic aspect gives visitors fresh reasons to revisit and reconnect with our military history time and again.
The Walk of Education
Not merely a path, but a profound journey, The Walk of Education at Veterans Memorial Park in Truth or Consequences promises to be a moving and memorable experience. The Walk is in the shape of the Medal of Honor, with each inner and outer point commemorating US conflicts around the world since 1775, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Each point includes a plaque which provides brief details of each conflict, reminding us of the many times American men and women have put their lives on the line to preserve our freedom.
Illuminating Insights
Visitors young and old, with personal ties and not, come to learn, to honor and to offer their respect to the men and women who served and the many who gave their lives in these hard-fought conflicts. The walk is open 24/7, 365 days a year, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience this unique reminder of the price paid by those who served.
The Columbarium
In the hushed tranquility of the Park, the Columbarium provides a unique setting for service members to be laid to rest amidst the surroundings that honor their dedication and sacrifice. The serene setting of this military burial site offers peace to both the departed and their loved ones. Accentuated by dramatic mountain views with stunning New Mexico turquoise skies overhead, this not-so-ordinary military burial setting, includes a shade structure which can be used for services and memorials in the park,
More About the Park
Commemorative Murals
Even without visiting the memorial, anyone driving by can easily catch sight of the two dramatic murals painted on the exterior of the Hamilton Military Museum. One of those murals, “Never Forgotten”, is a tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War. Painted in 2011, this memorable mural depicts a helicopter landing to rescue a soldier. The second mural, completed in 2012, is a painted version of the famous WWII image “Raising the Flag at Iwo Jima”
Events
One of the most popular and well-attended events was “The Run for the Wall” which, from 2003 to 2917, attracted veterans and bikers together at the memorial for games, vendors and a motorcycle version of a poker run in observance of Veteran’s Day. The park is also home to an annual Memorial Day event, held to honor all who serve, past and present, as well as those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Park Location and Hours
Veterans Memorial Park and Hamilton Military Museum are located at 996 Broadway on the southern end of Truth or Consequences. The park is open 24/7 year round and the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Things To Do in the Area
You’ll find plenty of things to see and do when visiting the memorial. Truth or Consequences offers world-class hot springs, art galleries, shopping, restaurants, brewery, golf, disc golf, and river walks. Nearby Elephant Butte offers restaurants as well as golfing at Sierra del Rio and boating, fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking and biking at Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico’s largest.
Reflective Conclusion
Veteran’s Memorial Park is more than just a park; it’s a physical embodiment of our gratitude towards those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. With each feature, from The Wall That Heals to the Hamilton Military Museum, the Walk of Education, and the Columbarium, we are reminded of the price paid for the liberties we enjoy today. Fo more information, visit www.veteransmemorialpark.com.
Enlightening FAQs
- What hours is Veterans Memorial Park open?
- The park is accessible 24/7 year round, providing the opportunity to honor our military service members at any time.
- How does The Wall That Heals compare to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.?
- The Wall That Heals is a half-scale replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial, carrying the names of the brave men and women who perished in the Vietnam War.
- What exhibits are featured in the Hamilton Military Museum?
- The museum displays a range of exhibits, from Buffalo Soldier and our country’s many wars to stories of local heroes.
- What makes the Walk of Education unique?
- The Walk of Education is designed in the shape of the Medal of Honor, with each point highlighting a significant U.S. conflict since 1775.
- Can anyone be interred in the Columbarium at Veterans Memorial Park?
- The Columbarium offers a unique opportunity for service members to rest in a place that symbolizes the values they upheld.
