Veterans Memorial Florida: Complete Guide to Honoring Service
Florida is home to hundreds of veterans memorials honoring those who served, from the underwater Circle of Heroes off Clearwater to the state’s official memorials in Tallahassee . The state has three official memorials in the capital city dedicated to World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, plus a newer Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial in Port St. Lucie . Major sites include the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall (the second-largest memorial wall in the nation), the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, and the developing Valor Commons in Manatee County . This guide covers the most significant veterans memorials across Florida, plus resources for visiting and supporting these sites.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official State Memorials | World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War memorials (Tallahassee) |
| Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial | Port St. Lucie (dedicated April 2024) |
| Largest Memorial Wall | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall (second-largest in the nation) |
| Unique Memorial | Circle of Heroes underwater memorial (Clearwater coast) |
| National Cemetery | Florida National Cemetery (Bushnell) |
| New Development | Valor Commons (Manatee County, estimated $40M, target opening Spring 2028) |
| Official Agency | Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs |
What Are Florida’s Veterans Memorials?
Florida’s veterans memorials serve as sacred spaces to honor the service and sacrifice of American veterans. These sites range from traditional monuments and walls to an underwater memorial and future community campuses. They serve multiple purposes:
Commemoration — Honoring those who served and sacrificed
Education — Teaching visitors about military history and service
Community — Hosting ceremonies on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other occasions
Support — Some sites integrate veteran resource centers and services
Official State Memorials in Tallahassee
Florida’s capital city is home to the three official state veterans memorials, maintained by the Florida Department of Management Services .
World War II Memorial
Dedicated: June 6, 2005, by Gov. Jeb Bush
Location: In front of the R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee
The memorial consists of 67 plaques, each honoring veterans from one Florida county, and a central pillar that is a replica of the Florida Pillar at the National Monument in Washington, DC . More than 248,000 Florida veterans served in World War II, and the Sunshine State is currently home to nearly 3,800 surviving World War II veterans . Florida contributed $248,000 to the National World War II Memorial — one dollar for each service member who entered the military from Florida during the war .
Note: The Museum of Florida History’s World War II Exhibit (located on the bottom floor of the R.A. Gray Building) is temporarily closed effective Aug. 15, 2022. The memorial remains accessible .
Korean War Memorial
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityDedicated: December 11, 1999, by Gov. Jeb Bush
Location: Cascades Park, downtown Tallahassee
The memorial follows a walkway to a plaza encompassing a circle of red marble inscribed with “Duty, Honor, Country.” The circle represents the purity of the Circle of Life — but the top is missing. The missing piece lies nearby with the word “Life” inscribed on it, as well as the names of the 538 Floridians who died while serving in Korea . More than 294,000 Florida veterans served in the Korean War, and the state is currently home to more than 36,400 Korean War veterans .
Vietnam War Memorial
Dedicated: November 12, 1985, by Gov. Bob Graham
Location: Across Monroe Street from the Old Capitol Building, Tallahassee
The memorial features a 28-foot by 15-foot U.S. flag and contains the names of all known Floridians killed in the war . Florida is currently home to more than 496,000 Vietnam veterans .
Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial
Dedicated: April 20, 2024
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 2100 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Port St. Lucie
The Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial honors Floridians who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the 349 who made the ultimate sacrifice . This is Florida’s newest official war memorial.
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall
Location: 1145 East Adams Street, Jacksonville
Dedicated: November 1995
This 65-foot-long black granite monument bears the names of servicemen and women from World War I through the War on Terror, honoring over 1,700 Jacksonville-area American war heroes . It is the second-largest memorial wall in the nation, second only to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and is the only wall that honors veterans from all six service branches: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine . The outdoor memorial is located close to EverBank Field in downtown Jacksonville .
Circle of Heroes: Underwater Veterans Memorial
Location: 10 miles off the Pinellas County coast, 40 feet underwater
The Circle of Heroes at Veterans Reef is the nation’s first underwater memorial honoring U.S. veterans . It features 13 life-sized statues representing five branches of the U.S. military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) arranged in a 100-foot circle .
History: The memorial was first envisioned by Dr. Heyward Mathews, who founded the Clearwater Marine Science Center (now the Clearwater Marine Aquarium). It officially opened in 2019 .
Preservation Efforts: Years of hurricanes and strong storms have damaged the statues and protective buoys . In 2026, the Circle of Heroes at Veterans Reef Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to support preservation and expansion to 24 statues . The memorial serves both as a tribute and a living reef that benefits marine life, attracting divers from across the country .
Plan a Visit: This is a diving-only memorial located about 10 miles off the Clearwater coast. Coordinates and updates are available on the memorial’s Facebook page .
Florida National Cemetery
Location: 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell
The Florida National Cemetery is impeccably maintained with sweeping green fields and ancient oaks . Vast rows of white headstones honor veterans with a special resting place. The Veterans Memorial Pathway is bordered by over 50 memorials commemorating veterans of 20th-century conflicts . A carillon stands in an open meadow, donated by The American Veterans in 1993, and its main assembly area features an open colonnade often used for Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies .
Veterans Memorial Park, Pensacola
Location: 200 S. 10th Ave., Pensacola
This peaceful park encircles a lake and includes:
A Purple Heart Memorial
A Minuteman Memorial
A Walk of Honor
A Marine Bell Tower
A Vietnam War Wall
Many other moving monuments
The park’s mission is to honor heroes who sacrificed their lives in the defense of this nation .
Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park, Orlando
Location: Adjacent to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando
Nestled on the shores of a tranquil lake, this memorial is only a short stroll from the campus chapel, nursing home, and assisted living facility. It honors approximately 1,100 veterans from six central Florida counties (Orange, Lake, Brevard, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia) who made the ultimate sacrifice .
Valor Commons: New Memorial and Resource Campus
Manatee County is developing Valor Commons, a planned 24-acre site at 5431 Buckeye Road in Palmetto that will include veteran resources, memorials, and community programs .
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 24 acres |
| Location | 5431 Buckeye Road, Palmetto (near a future Veterans Elementary School site) |
| Estimated Cost | $40 million |
| Funding | ~$3M federal, $1.6M state, $4M county seed money |
| Target Opening | Spring 2028 |
| Groundbreaking | January 14, 2026 |
Planned Features
Veterans Resource Center — one-stop shop for benefit navigation, caregiver and peer support
Memorial and Reflection Areas — recognizing veterans from multiple conflicts, including all American-involved armed conflicts from the American Revolution through the Iraq War
Business Incubator — for veteran entrepreneurs
Walking Trails
Public Event Spaces — for ceremonies, gatherings, and civic events
Honors for All Branches — plus hometown heroes, women veterans, and Manatee County Veteran of the Year
“Valor Commons allows it to be one permanent location for these veterans and to navigate that transition from uniformed service to civilian life a lot smoother,” said Lee Washington, Manatee County’s special projects manager .
Other Veterans Memorials Across Florida
Bradenton Area
Multiple memorial plaques are located in Bradenton, including:
Eagle Scout Troop 181 Veterans Memorial Plaque (4200 3rd Avenue NW)
Long Pier Veterans Memorial Plaque (Plaza Street East and Braden Castle Drive)
Camp Weatherford War Memorial Markers (1411 9th Street West)
St. Petersburg
The St. Petersburg War Memorial at Bay Pines National Cemetery honors all veterans.
Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame
The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame was established by Senate Bill 520 and is located on the Plaza Level of the Capitol Building . The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs administers the Hall of Fame, with a nomination and selection process and an induction ceremony .
Visiting Veterans Memorials: Practical Tips
Best Times to Visit
Memorial Day (May) — Many sites hold special ceremonies
Veterans Day (November 11) — Official observances statewide
Year-round — Most memorials are open to the public
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Water (especially for outdoor sites in Florida’s heat)
Camera (for personal photos, but respect the solemn nature of the sites)
Small flags for leaving at memorials (if permitted)
Etiquette
Maintain a respectful demeanor
Silence phones or use them only for photography
Do not climb on or touch memorials unless permitted
Leave memorials as you found them
Common Questions
What are the official state veterans memorials in Florida?
Florida has three official state memorials in Tallahassee: the World War II Memorial (2005), the Korean War Memorial (1999), and the Vietnam War Memorial (1985) . The Iraq and Afghanistan War Memorial (dedicated April 2024) is located in Port St. Lucie.
Where is the largest veterans memorial wall in Florida?
The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall is the second-largest memorial wall in the nation, honoring over 1,700 veterans from six service branches. It is located at 1145 East Adams Street, Jacksonville.
What is the Circle of Heroes underwater memorial?
The Circle of Heroes is the nation’s first underwater veterans memorial, located 10 miles off the Clearwater coast in 40 feet of water. It features 13 life-sized statues arranged in a 100-foot circle.
Is there a new veterans memorial being built in Florida?
Yes. Valor Commons in Manatee County is a planned 24-acre memorial and resource campus in Palmetto. The estimated cost is $40 million, with a target opening date of spring 2028.
Where is the Florida National Cemetery?
The Florida National Cemetery is located at 6502 SW 102nd Ave in Bushnell. It features the Veterans Memorial Pathway with over 50 memorials.
How can I find veterans memorials near me in Florida?
Visit the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs website (floridavets.org) for a directory of state memorials. Local county websites also list veterans memorials in their areas.
When is the best time to visit veterans memorials in Florida?
Memorial Day and Veterans Day feature special ceremonies at most sites. The weather is most comfortable in spring and fall, but memorials are open year-round.
Can I visit the Circle of Heroes underwater memorial?
Yes, but it requires diving. The memorial is located about 10 miles off the Pinellas County coast in 40 feet of water. Diving experience and proper equipment are required.
What is Valor Commons?
Valor Commons is a planned 24-acre memorial and resource campus in Manatee County that will include memorials, a veterans resource center, walking trails, and community event spaces.
What is the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame?
The Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame is located on the Plaza Level of the Capitol Building. It honors outstanding Florida veterans and is administered by the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Key Takeaways
Florida has three official state memorials in Tallahassee plus a newer Iraq/Afghanistan memorial in Port St. Lucie.
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall is the second-largest memorial wall in the nation.
Circle of Heroes is the nation’s first underwater veterans memorial, located off the Clearwater coast.
Valor Commons in Manatee County is a $40 million memorial and resource campus opening spring 2028.
Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell features the Veterans Memorial Pathway with over 50 memorials.
Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola and Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park in Orlando are major regional sites.
Most memorials are open year-round with special ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Official Resources
| Organization | Contact | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs | — | floridavets.org |
| Florida National Cemetery | — | cem.va.gov |
| Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall | — | coj.net |
| Valor Commons | — | valorcommons.org |
| Circle of Heroes Foundation | — | brighterfutureflorida.org |
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