Circle of Heroes

The Circle of Heroes is an underwater military veterans memorial 10 miles off the coast of Honeymoon Island State Park in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the first underwater veterans memorial.[1]

Circle of Heroes
Map showing the location of Circle of Heroes
Map showing the location of Circle of Heroes
LocationFlorida, USA
WaterbodyVeterans Memorial Reef
Nearest landCaladesi Island State Park
Coordinates28.0264°N 82.9133°W / 28.0264; -82.9133
Dive typeOpen-water
Depth range36 to 40 ft (11 to 12 m)
Average visibility31 to 35 ft (9.4 to 10.7 m)
Entry typeBoat
Bottom compositionSand
WaterSalt

The memorial

The statues were placed during the week of July 22, 2019 after 2-1/2 years of planning and creating.[2][3] It was dedicated on August 5, 2019 and currently has thirteen 6-foot tall statues at a depth of 40 feet underwater with plans to add an additional twelve statues.[4] At the center, there is a 4 foot high, 3-ton pentagon shaped monument with the emblems from five military branches, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.[5][6] The statues form a 100 foot circle around the center monument.[6] The memorial is considered a recreational dive site.

Each statue weighs 1,200 pounds.[7]

Statues

The statues depict:[8]

  • Navy Sailor
  • Southeast Asia War Soldier
  • Korean War Soldier
  • Marine in Dress Blues
  • Vietnam Soldier
  • Air Force Pilot
  • No Man Left Behind
  • Gulf War Soldier
  • Iraq War Soldier
  • Iraq Freedom Fighter
  • Army Nurse
  • Soldier Kneeling & Battle Cross
  • Coast Guard Sailor

References
  1. Mackley, Brian. "The first underwater veterans memorial is open for divers", MilitaryTimes website, August 5, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  2. Becca Hurley. "Nation's First Underwater Veterans Memorial Opens in Florida", Scuba Diving magazine online, August 5, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  3. Dickstein, Corey. "Memorial shows deep gratitude", Stars and Stripes (United States Edition) (in partnership with Tampa Bay Times), volume 11, number 36, August 15, 2019, age 14. (subscription required)
  4. Dyhouse, Janie. "VFW's Image 'Shines' Under the Sea", VFW Magazine, volume 107, Number 3, November/December 2019, page 23.
  5. Najarro, Ileana. "Heroes ready for deep duty", Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, August 6, 2019, pages 1B and 6B (subscription required)
  6. Tribou, Richard. "Underwater dive memorial to veterans off Clearwater coast", Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, August 11, 2019, page 15E. (subscription required)
  7. Guerrat, John. "'Circle of Heroes' reef memorial on track, seeks more donations", Tampa Bay Times online, February 21, 1919. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  8. Lewis, Bobby. "Circle of Heroes underwater memorial honors military veterans", 2021 WTSP-TV website (10 Tampa Bay), published August 5, 2019, updated September 14, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
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