Veteran's Park

Veteran's Memorial Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico was constructed by the Las Cruces Home Builders Association under the direction of the city and dedicated on May 5, 1999. The park serves as a tribute to the men and women who fought and served in the United States armed forces, with a particular focus on those from the Las Cruces area.

The park is organized around a central trail that guides visitors through various monuments scattered throughout the grounds. These monuments honor sacrifices made from as early as the American Revolutionary War to the present day. One of the most notable features is an 80-foot tall flagpole designed to hoist a Garrison Flag on special occasions and holidays. The Garrison Flag, measuring 240 square feet (12' x 20'), is a significant symbol that came into use during the War of 1812.

A key element of the park is the Veterans Memorial Wall, dedicated on November 11, 2005. It lists 8,188 names of veterans who entered military service from Doña Ana County, New Mexico, spanning from the Civil War through Operation Enduring Freedom. The park also features a poignant Bataan Death March memorial, which includes bronze statues of American and Filipino soldiers and footprints made by surviving members of the actual march.

The park provides spaces for reflection, celebration, and education about military service. It includes picnic areas, allowing visitors to spend time in the park while contemplating the sacrifices of veterans. Recent improvements, begun in February 2024, are set to expand the park's amenities, including additional parking spaces, a new entrance, a contemplative garden, and improved drainage systems.