A heroes' memorial: Volusia County unveils monument for Vietnam Veterans in Daytona Beach

The Vietnam Memorial Wall, an effort led by U.S. Army veteran Robert “Bob” Adkins, of Ormond-by-the-Sea, was presented to the community during a ceremony on Friday, March 27.

  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • News
  • Share

More than 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, Volusia County celebrated the unveiling of a monument to make sure their legacy is never forgotten — and that they receive the honor and respect many didn't see when they came home. 

The Vietnam Memorial Wall, an effort led by U.S. Army veteran Robert “Bob” Adkins, of Ormond-by-the-Sea, was presented to the community during a ceremony on Friday, March 27. The memorial wall is located at Veterans Memorial Plaza, at 125 E. Orange Ave. near the Volusia County Courthouse at City Island in Daytona Beach. 

It's a gray granite monument etched with scenes from the Vietnam Memorial Wall and Vietnam Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C. It measures 8.5 feet wide and 5 feet high. It now stands on the north side of the plaza, with an inscription welcoming Vietnam veterans home. 

Bringing the monument to fruition has been a nine-month project, said Adkins, a past president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Daytona Beach Chapter 1048 who spearheaded the chapter's $35,000 donation. 

How did it start? With talks about legacy with his wife Cathy and family. Adkins was getting ready to turn over leadership of VVA Chapter, following 11 years of service as its president.

"I said, 'You know, this monument needs to be in Volusia County," Adkins recalled. "We got a beautiful plaza that we're going to put one in, and we sat down and we talked it out about how to go about this, and of course — everything that we talked about was wrong."

They ran into challenge after challenge. Until he met Scott Olson, Volusia County Veterans Services director.

"He took this journey on with me and Cathy to make sure that this happened," Adkins said. "He thought it was the greatest thing for this county that he could think of was having that monument placed here."

The monument will serve as a "dignified and lasting tribute to all of our Vietnam veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today," Olson said. It will also provide an educational opportunity in the community, he added.

"The Memorial Wall will contribute to preserving the historical legacy of the Vietnam War and ensuring that future generations understand its significance," he said.

Volusia County Council at-large member Jake Johansson, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, said that the Memorial Wall is a permanent reminder of the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans. And, he said, that their stories have a place in Volusia County.

"This wall will ensure that future generations understand what the Vietnam generation endured and what they gave in service to our nation," Johansson said. "It will stand here, not just as a monument of granite and stone, but as a place of reflection, remembrance and education for our entire community. Recognizing service also means ensuring veterans receive the support they deserve."

Volusia County Council Chair Jeff Brower was also among the speakers at the ceremony, which included Florida Rep. Chase Tramont, Florida Sen. Tom Wright and Gen. James Hartsell, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. The unveiling ceremony, Brower said, is a "much needed celebration" for Volusia County.

"It's a much needed time to say you weren't given a proper homecoming," Brower said. "Today, you get that homecoming."

He talked about growing up during the Vietnam War years — how fear and distrust of the U.S. government resulted in war veterans coming home to protests and public disdain. 

"I want you to know today in Volusia County, that's not how we think," Brower said. "And I think that most of America, through the lens of history, have come to terms with that, and they respect you Vietnam veterans as much as every other veteran that sits in this beautiful place do. You earned that.

"You stood between bullets and liberty for us," Brower continued. "You stood between bombs and napalm and freedom because you love this country. Because you love the families that you left behind and were willing to lay everything on the battlefield. You are America's heroes."

 

Latest News

  • March 27, 2026
Daytona Beach International Airport resumes normal operations following recent gate incident
  • March 27, 2026
Foundation Risk Partners poised to serve as Ormond Beach's next employee benefits broker
  • March 26, 2026
'Oh, wouldn’t it be loverly?': Daytona Playhouse presents 'My Fair Lady'
×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.