15 years ago, a small group of veterans saw their dream become a reality along the waterfront near downtown Pensacola.

It was their place to honor fallen comrads.

Today, they have help keeping their dream alive and growing so that the heroes are never forgotten.

Capt John Pritchard, USMC Ret.; I started out as a private in the Marine Corps and retired 20 years later as a Captain; served two tours in Viet Nam.

BG Mike Ferguson, USA Ret.; Well, he is a Marine. I forgive him for that being an Army soldier. But, he's a good Marine and I'm telling we'd take him in the Army.

That good marine, Retired Captain John Pritchard now serves heads the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation....he says there are 58-thousand reasons he enlisted to help the founders of the park .

They went and answered the call of the country and served with pride and distinction and made the ultimate sacrifice.

These names become more than just letters etched; it's very personal?

Yes, yes it is.

Propelled by an army of veterans, community leaders, corporate contributors and volunteers, the park's tributes began to grow.

John; The first thing we added on was the children's memorial back on Veterans Day of 2000. And that was for the children of vets who were killed.

Next came the symbol of the greatest generation. The World War Ii Memorial. This was a tribute that could not come too soon.

The sacrifices made in the forgotten war, would now be called to memory with this vivid image out of the Korean conflict.

Sadly, there is yet another addition.

Gen Ferguson; What drives him is getting it done for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines.

While he credits that legion of volunteers and donors, Captain John Pritchard has been front and center.

GEN Ferguson; It's not really the deeds that are so important as the legacy or the heritage that you leave behind.
This garden of patriots, is what I would call it, is going to be here, I hope, long after we are.

John; It's something that you don't look for honor, praise and glory. What I do, is so they're not forgotten. And, uh, as long as I'm alive and have any control over this, we're gonna make sure that that continues on.

We're never going to forget. Angels In Our Midst (John Pritchard)