Augusta County Military Memorial group seeks Waynesboro support for 'Garden That Heals'

Dave Zimmerman, president of the Augusta County Military Memorial, asked the Waynesboro City Council on Oct. 27 to support a regional memorial project called the Garden That Heals and to consider a joint proclamation with Augusta County and Stanton.

Zimmerman described the project as a memorial to residents of Augusta County, Waynesboro and Stanton who served in the U.S. military and said the site would be located at the Augusta County Government Center near the new courthouse. He presented historical context, attendance and veteran counts for the area and displayed concept sketches and a phased cost estimate. Zimmerman said phase 1 should cost about $200,000 and later phases an additional $300,000–$400,000; he emphasized he was not asking the council for city funds that evening and instead sought formal support and help in outreach to potential donors.

Zimmerman invited Councilman Raymond Carrier, a combat veteran present at the meeting, to speak briefly about the memorial's purpose; Carrier noted the memorial is meant to provide a place for remembrance and healing. Zimmerman also said the group had obtained plaques from the old courthouse for placement in the memorial and provided brochures and a website (augustacountymilitarymemorial.org) for additional information.

Council thanked Zimmerman for the presentation. No formal action, vote, or city funding request was recorded at the meeting; staff was asked about the joint-resolution process for interjurisdictional proclamations.