Welcome
For more than 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
- Chief Petty Officer Martha Nest, USCGR, Ret. –Treasurer
- Peggy Smith – Executive Secretary
- Jennifer Santangelo – Executive Assistant
- Jim Brown, Captain, USA
- Major General Lonnie Culver, USA, Retired
- Colonel Mark W. Erwin, USA, Retired
- Chief Master Sergeant Kenny Fogle, USA, Retired
- Brigadier General Thomas R. Ice, USA, Retired
- Chief Warrant Officer Robert V. Kelly, USA, Retired
- Brigadier General Joe Lear, ARNG
- Colonel Steve Mattingly, ARNG
- Specialist Joseph E. Neel, USA
- Corporal Kenny Nevitt, USMC
- Staff Sergeant Kevin Rogers, USA, Retired
- Lt. Colonel Michael A. Thomas, USA, Retired
- Corporal Kenny Thomas, USMC
- Sergeant Roland Williams, USAF
- Johnny Warren – Executive Artistic Director- The Stephen Foster Story
- Ken and Beckie Hatfield – Design
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 Veterans Park
Work is now underway at the 1.2 acre site at 230 Plaza Drive near the Justice Center.
Above: An artist’s rendering of the completed Veterans Park, showing
the Pavillion at left, the stage in the foreground.
The Eternal Flame
The Eternal Flame will be a focal point for reflection and inspiration.
The monument will hold profound significance as a a symbol of remembrance,
honoring those who gave the supreme sacrfice.
The Flame will burn continuously,
symbolizing that the sacrfices of the Veterans will never be forgotten.
Every Sunday night at sunset, Taps will sound from the Eterenal Flame
in tribute to those Veterans.
The Park will honor our Veterans and be an asset to our community.
Some of the features include:
- American Flags and Service Branch Flags
- Six War/Conflict Memorials
- Six Service Branch memorials
- Walkway of Honor – Engraved Bricks
- POW / MIA Flag
- Full size Stage
- Large Pavilion
- WiFi access
- Taps every Sunday at sunset
- An Eternal Flame
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?
With your generous support,
The Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park
will create a Lastin Legacy –
honoring all our Military
and providing a gathering place for our community.
GRATITUDE WALL
The GRATITUDE WALL will be a permanent structure at the Park Entrance,
Expressing our appreciation of your support –
Celebrating the generosity of each donor –
Thanking all who made this Lasting Legacy a reality!
DONATE
Your donation will be tax deductible.
The Bardstown-Nelson County Veterans Park is a
non-profit 501(c)3 group.
We accept personal or business checks,
Click here for a printable Check Donation Form.
Click here for information on a Recurring Donation.
Click here to donate online with a Credit Card.
VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
DONATIONS
FRIEND OF THE VETERANS PARK
Be a Friend of the Veterans Park with any donation.
FOUNDING MEMBER
Be a Founding Member with a donation of $1,000 or more.
SUSTAINING MEMBER
Become a Sustaining Member of the Veterans Park
by giving a montly contribution of $7.00.
The $7.00 donation can be made monthly by clicking here.
SPONSOR
CREAT A LASTING LEGACY BY SPONSORNING A PARK STRUCTURE
BLACK METAL BENCHES
will provide comfortable seating for Veterans Park visitors.
Sponsoring donation: $2,500.
Sponsorship will be noted with a plaque.
FLAG / POLE
Sponsoran American Flag
Sponsor a Branch Flag: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force
Sponsorship donaton: $5,000
Sponsorship will be noted with a plaque.
POLE LIGHT FIXTURE
Sponsor a Pole Light Fixture that will light the Veterans Park
Sponsorship donation is $2,000
Sponsorship will be noted with a plaque.
WAR MEMORIAL / MONUMENT
Create a Lasting Legacy by sponsoring a War Memorial or Monument of Service Branch.
Sponsor a black granite monument to honor Veterans who served their contry during a war or conflict.
Sponsor a branch monument of black granite to honor all the men and women who served that branch. 6’Hx40″Wx12″D
War Memorial
$12,000 per memorial
6’Hx40″Wx12″D
Monument of Service Branch
$12,000 per monument
6’Hx40″Wx12″D
INSCRIBED BRICK
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.
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 chairman highlights projects’ importance on Memorial Day
By JERRY JANES BNCVP Chairman Good morning. From the early days of our country to the most recent global conflicts, our local military has met the challenge of protecting our freedom. The Nelson County citizens have always shown...
80 years ago, local veterans were part of the D-Day invasion
June 6, 2024 -- On this day, 80 years ago, the world witnessed an extraordinary event - the D-Day Invasion. It involved 7,000 ships, almost 133,000 troops, and the combined efforts of the US, Great Britian, Canada, and other NATO Nations. Nearly 160,000 Allied troops...
