PHASE I—DEDICATED MAY 25, 2008
Behind the Elements
PENTAGON PLATFORM
The AVM's Pentagon Platform design resembles the U.S. Pentagon, which is the headquarters for the United States Department of Defense, located in Washington, DC. The Pentagon Platform, divided equally into five sections, represents each branch of service: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. Each section consists of engraved pavers displaying the name, rank, and conflict of members who honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The overall scope or size of the AVM was determined by the total number of pavers sold during the initial promotion; more than 600 U.S. Army pavers were purchased in the first phase of the project. On-site engraving within the Pentagon Platform area is available within the Navy, Marines, Air Force & Coast Guard sections only.
MT. OLIVE WAR MEMORIAL: Sponsored by the Mt. Olive Historical Society
The monument, originally located at Budd Lake Beach, was dedicated on July 4, 1968, by THE WAR MEMORIAL COMMITTEE, which was founded by John C. Planker. It is inscribed, “ERECTED IN GRATEFUL TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF MT. OLIVE TOWNSHIP WHO FAITHFULLY SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES OF OUR COUNTRY.” Thirty names of local fallen heroes are inscribed on the face of the monument. By the year 2000, the once regal beacon had fallen into disrepair and was forgotten.
AMERICAN FLAGPOLE: sponsored by Eric J. Wood ~ as part of Wood's Eagle Scout Community Project
MILITARY FLAGS: sponsored by the Father Joseph A. Cassidy Council #6100 Knights of Columbus
NEW JERSEY FLAG: sponsored by Tim Teen, InSitech ~ MORRIS COUNTY FLAG: sponsored by Picatinny Credit Union
GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR (GWOT) MEMORIAL BRIDGE: See SPONSORS Button Below
Pays tribute to all N.J. heroes who lost their lives while fighting the global war on terror. FALLEN HERO PAVERS ~ The 6" x 6" medallion pavers display the name, rank, branch of service, and date of sacrifice of each fallen hero. Pavers are privately funded by patriots who believe that every fallen hero should be forever remembered and honored for their selfless service. The GWOT Memorial Bridge is updated the second week of May each year
PRESIDENTIAL PREAMBLE STAGE: See SPONSOR button below
The educational Presidential Preamble Stage Area commemorates each U.S. President with a custom 24" x 24" paver, which is set in chronological order, displaying the presidents' full name, the dates of their term in office, a famous quote that summarizes the essential role they played while serving, and the name of the individual, family, organization, school, or business that sponsored the President. The preamble stage serves as an educational opportunity for all to review the history of the nation’s highest leader. President Barack Obama’s paver remains available for sponsorship. The Presidential Preamble Stage is the result of a community effort that garnered more than 53 private donors.
CHARLES H. JOHNSON MEMORIAL GAZEBO sponsored by Linda & Bill Sohl and Thea Dunkle Historical Society
Just shy of seeing the completion of the AVM complex, Charles "Charlie" H. Johnson, the former mayor of Mount Olive who proudly served as a sergeant in the Air Force 9th Division during World War II passed away. In lieu of flowers, Mayor Johnson's family and friends requested donations to go towards a gazebo that would memorialize his honorable service to country and community. Sergeant Charles H. Johnson earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Force Medal while serving his country. The Charles H. Johnson Veterans Gazebo was dedicated on May 26, 2008.
PATH TO ENDURING FREEDOM
PHASE II - DEDICATED NOVEMBER 11, 2009
THE PATH TO ENDURING FREEDOM: Partially sponsored by the Mount Olive Senior Citizens
The Path to Enduring Freedom, dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2009, was built in part as a ceremonial path leading onto the main ceremonial stage of the AVM. The Path to Enduring Freedom denotes all U.S. military conflicts beginning with the Revolutionary War and ending with the Global War on Terror. The beautifully designed ceremonial walkway is chronologically and equally divided to represent each war. 10" x 16" marker pavers provide conflict statistics as reported by the United States Department of Defense. Opportunities to purchase 4" x 8" Honorable Service Pavers are still available ~~The Path to Enduring Freedom is updated annually during the second week of May.
NORTH STAR SEATING
PHASE III - DEDICATED MAY 25, 2015
NORTH STAR SEATING sponsored by Home Depot, Techo-Bloc, UNILOCK New York, Meier Stone and the Uhrmann Family
The North Star Seating area was dedicated to those who lost a loved one during war and the New Jersey Gold Star Mothers on May 25, 2015. The dedication was led by U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. General Gustave F. Perna in memory and honor of their loss. The beautifully designed 20' x 50' seating area and its unique, thought-provoking figures evoke one's sense of loss, contemplation, and faith; many visitors have expressed a calming effect immediately upon entering. The North Star Seating area provides secure seating and several wheelchair spaces for veterans and their family members.
WAR DOG MEMORIAL
PHASE IV—DEDICATED MAY 30, 2016
WAR DOG MEMORIAL
Since World War I, tens of thousands of dogs have served in the United States Armed Forces alongside their handlers in K-9 units. Thousands of dogs have died in combat saving the lives of our military troops. FREEDOM BENCHES sponsored by Christy Burkart, Mt. Olive Kiwanis, Timothy Teen of InSitech, and Chester M. Stephan’s Elementary School ~ The four natural blue stones are representative of President Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union address, also known as the Four Freedoms speech. They include freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. This speech was significant in that FDR went beyond the regular freedoms insured by the Constitution and claimed these new rights as American values.
LIBERTY WALL
PHASE V - DEDICATED MAY 26, 2017
SPIRITUAL CENOTAPH
PHASE V - DEDICATED MAY 26, 2018
SPIRITUAL CENOTAPH
Sponsored by Eagle Scout Eric John Daniels, Wood was completed on 15 April 2017. The Spiritual Cenotaph symbolizes religious pluralism, serving all faiths, spiritualities, beliefs, and religions of all fallen warriors—known and unknown. On 26 April 2017, more than 132 written books and scripts procured from their native origin and texts of acknowledgement of all convictions were permanently entombed as part of the monument. Army Chaplain Adam Charman, combat veteran, delivered the benediction, proclaiming, “Their spirits live in the hearts they left behind.” On 29 May 2017 a formal dedication was held.
WARRIOR OBELISK
PHASE V—DEDICATED MAY 28, 2018
POW / MIA / PTSD REMEMBRANCE WALL
PHASE VI - DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
ASCENSION BELL
PHASE VII—DEDICATED SEPTEMBER 5, 2020
WAR HORSE MEMORIAL
PHASE VIII - DEDICATED MAY 24, 2021
PATH TO ENDURING FREEDOM
GWOT ~ Gabe
NORTH STAR SEATING sponsored by Home Depot, Techo-Bloc, UNILOCK New York, Meier Stone and the Uhrmann Family ~ The North Star Seating area was dedicated to those who lost a loved one during war and the New Jersey Gold Star Mothers on May 25, 2015. The dedication was led by U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. General Gustave F. Perna in memory and honor of their loss. The beautifully designed 20' x 50' seating area and its unique, thought-provoking figures evoke one's sense of loss, contemplation, and faith; many visitors have expressed a calming effect immediately upon entering. The North Star Seating area provides secure seating and several wheelchair spaces for veterans and their family members.
PRIVATE CONTRIBUTORS
- Scott & Charlie Uhrmann
- Karl Meier
- William & Linda Sohl
- Eric John Daniels Wood
- Thomas Ritz Sr.
- Thomas Ritz Jr.
- Paul & Elizabeth Manz
- Mr. & Mrs. Norman Carlson
- Barbara Smith
- Peter King Esq.
- Dr. Bruce & Jeanne Murphy
- Fred Semrau Esq.
- Joe & Hazel Whalen
- Christine Burkhart
- Michael Coulson
- Mr. & Mrs. Ron Barkman
NONPROFIT CONTRIBUTORS
- Morris County American Legion
- American Legion Post 91
- American Legion Post 450
- American Legion Post
- American Legion Post
- The Knights of Columbus, Council 6100
- Rolling Thunder National, Inc.
- Rolling Thunder, NJ Chapter 6
- Rolling Thunder, NY Chapter 2
- Musconetcong Masonic Lodge #42
- New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution
- Morristown Daughters of the American Revolution
CORPORATE CONTRIBUTORS
DESIGN TEAM
DEVELOPER
CHARLIE UHRMANN
AVM Originator
MASTER PLAN ADVISOR
KARL MEIER
Owner Meier Stone
HARDSCAPE
RUSS NAYSMITH
Trend Landscaping