Alaska Veterans Memorial near Denali offers quiet tribute to those who served | Local & State News [Video]

Tucked just off Alaska’s Parks Highway near Denali State Park, the Alaska Veterans Memorial stands as a peaceful place to honor the men and women who served in the military.

Located at Mile 147, the memorial was built in 1983 and officially dedicated in 1984 by then-Governor Bill Sheffield. At the time, Alaska was the only state without a dedicated veterans memorial.

Since then, the site has expanded to include five towering concrete panels, each representing a branch of the military. Visitors can also explore plaques and interpretive displays that share stories of service, sacrifice, and the history of the armed forces.

Canadian sculptor George Platt created statues of Territorial Guard members positioned with binoculars facing Denali, symbolically watching over the mountain and the state they served.

Stuart Leidner, a spokesperson for the memorial, says the site offers both educational and emotional connections for visitors. “The interpretive panels talk about …