Welcome
For over 200 years, the sons and daughters of Nelson County have answered the call to military service. From the early days of our country to the most recent global conflicts, our local military have met the challenge to protect our freedom.
Local citizens have always shown pride in these men and women with a tradition of respect, honor, and appreciation. Our goal is to expand this tradition.
To accomplish this, we will establish the Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park.
We ask you to consider our mission.
Who We Are
We are a group of Veterans who came together in September 2021 with the desire to show our appreciation to all Veterans and Active Military in an impactful way.
- Jerry Janes, Sergeant, USA – Chairman
- Lt. Colonel Michael A. Thomas, USA, Retired
- Chief Petty Officer Martha Nest, USCGR, Ret. –Treasurer
- Jim Brown, Captain, USA
- Major General Lonnie Culver, USA, Retired
- Colonel Mark W. Erwin, USA, Retired
- Brigadier General Thomas R. Ice, USA, Retired
- Chief Warrant Officer Robert V. Kelly, USA, Retired
- Colonel Steve Mattingly, ARNG
- Specialist Joseph E. Neal, USA
- Corporal Kenny Nevitt, USMC
- Staff Sergeant Kevin Rogers, USA, Retired
- Corporal Kenny Thomas, USMC
- Sergeant Roland Williams, USAF
- Peggy Smith – Executive Secretary
- Johnny Warren – Executive Artistic Director- The Stephen Foster Story
Our Mission
- TO ESTABLISH a formal gathering place to recognize the service of all Nelson County Veterans, past and present.
- TO DEVELOP a community park sponsored by local Veterans that will showcase their commitment to community beyond service to country.
- TO ENCOURAGE appreciation and sense of military history focused on the sacrifices made by Nelson County Veterans.
- TO ENRICH the education of children by providing opportunities for schools to visit the park for educational purposes using online digital technology (WIFI).
- TO SUPPORT community sponsored events in a prominent location that is easily accessible to the public.
- TO PROMOTE the Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park to support the hospitality and tourism industry of our community.
The Park Design
The Committee has secured 1.2 acres near the Justice Center at 230 Plaza Drive.
We have a vision of how this space will honor our Veterans and be an asset to our community.
Some of the features are:
- Flags for the United States and the Service Branches
- War Memorials
- Monuments for each Service Branch
- Engraved Bricks
- A POW and MIA Memorial
- An Eternal Flame
- Beautiful landscaping
- A stage for presentations
- A large pavilion with picnic tables – a gathering place
- Easy to access WIFI to enhance connectivity
- Ample parking
- Taps every Sunday at sunset
Donate
Have you ever seen someone in a uniform and thanked them for their service?
Maybe it was at the grocery or a sporting event?
Have you ever felt like you would like to do more?
We rely on the generous support of our community.
With your help the Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park will be an asset to the community – honoring all our Military and providing a gathering place for our community.
Join us in this historic act of gratitude.
Ways To Donate
Friend of the Veterans Park
Become a Friend of the Veterans Park with any donation.
Sustaining Member
Become a Sustaining Member of the Veterans Park by giving a monthly contribution of $7.00.
As a Sustaining Member, you will support the continuing maintenance of the park.
The $7.00 donation can be made to occur monthly by clicking here.
Park Bench
Sponsor a park bench by donating $2,500.
Founding Member
Become a Founding Member of the Veteran’s Park with a donation of $1,000 or more.
Park Structure
Create a Lasting Legacy by sponsoring one of the following Park Structures………..
War Memorial
$12,000 per memorial
Sponsor a black granite monument to honor Veterans who served their country during a war on conflict.
6’Hx40″Wx12″D
Monument of Service Branch
$12,000 per monument
Sponsor a branch monument of black granite to honor all the men and women who served that branch. 6’Hx40″Wx12″D
Flag & Pole
$5,000 per flag
Sponsor a flag to pay tribute to the United States, The State of Kentucky, or Military Branch (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, or Space Force)
Inscribed Brick
$150
Sponsor an inscribed brick for the Walkway of Honor, and create a lasting legacy for a veteran or active military and contribute to a meaningful, permanent element of the Veterans Park. Click Here for more information.
*To Explore Sponsoring Opportunities Contact: Jerry Janes @ jerryjanes@bardstown.com or call 502-507-3386*
The Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park is a non-profit 501(c)3 Group.
Your donation will be tax deductible.
Donate securely online with a credit card!
We accept personal or business checks, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Thank You
The Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park Committee Members
THANK YOU
for considering our mission and supporting our local Veterans and Active Military.
Thanks to you, the Veterans Park will be an asset to the community – honoring all our Military and families
and providing a gathering place for our community.
Contact Us
Our goal is to begin work on the park now, but as a non-profit entity, we need your help. Donations from the community will help us turn this dream into a reality. Any contribution is welcome.
In the News
Veterans Park Moving Forward
A group of veterans overseeing the Veterans Park project is raising awareness and fundraising for the park.
Georgia’s Fort Benning to be renamed Fort Moore after military couple known for their service and leadership
Georgia’s Fort Benning recently announced that the Secretary of Defense approved the recommendation to rename the fort after Hal and Julie Moore, recognizing the military couple’s contributions.
Community gathers to remember the fallen at Memorial Day service
Bardstown and Nelson County residents gathered around the gazebo at the Bardstown Cemetery to again remember those who served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice in observance of Memorial Day. Kenny Fogle again served as emcee of the observance, his 20th...