STOCKTON, Alabama — Baldwin County Bicentennial Park will host a dedication Saturday at 11 a.m. of the first section of the “Patriots Path,” which will become a brick walkway extending from the existing Veterans Memorial to the future site of the Alabama State Military History Museum, according to park director Nick Warren.

Each brick will honor the service of an individual that has served in the Army, Navy, Marine corps, Air Force, Coast Guard or Merchant Marines.   Service periods for bricks can date back to the Revolutionary War.

The bricks are available for purchase from the Baldwin County Department of Archives and History.

 “We ultimately picked Memorial Day weekend for this dedication, due to the significance of the holiday,” Warren said. “Memorial Day’s origins date back to the Civil War and the intent was to honor those who had fallen in military service.

 “The Patriots Path here at Bicentennial Park is to honor not only those that gave their last full measure but also to remember the sacrifice and contribution of all service personnel through the ages of this country.” 

For more information on obtaining a brick or the event, call 251-580-1897.

The dedication of the Patriots Path comes in the wake of last week’s announcement that the park has been named as the future home for the Alabama State Military History Museum. State Representative Joe Faust, R-Fairhope, and other legislators sponsored a bill to name the Bicentennial Park as the home of the facility.

 “The Military History Museum has been designed to flow with the rest of the structures at Bicentennial Park,” Warren said. “The facility will be well over 20,0000 square feet and resemble the appearance of a coastal fortification common to pre-civil war America.

“Upon completion, the museum will tell the story of Alabama’s contribution to Americas efforts in its many struggles and conflicts. With this epic as a backdrop, visitors will be able to view a large variety of equipment, artifacts, captured weapons, vehicles and much more that relates to the rich and colorful military history that is so much a part of Alabama.”

Although the site has been formally named, there is no construction date.