The VCP was the brainchild of a Marley Park community resident who came up with it while watching a Veterans Day parade in 2011. The idea of creating a memorial was submitted to Marley Park Leadership’s Project Committee. A new committee focusing on the future VCP was formed in January 2012 and the process began.

After 18 months of administrative paperwork was completed, the groundbreaking ceremony was conducted on November 11, 2013.

From June 2013 to November 2016, generous donations and several fundraising events raised more than $40,000 to complete construction of the VCP. The memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2016, through a ceremony.

The project was completed in approximately five years with the assistance and dedication of many engaged community members. People from the city of Surprise, veteran organizations, Dysart Unified School District, local Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, local businesses and other organizations, and residents of the Marley Park community combined forces to make the VCP possible.

Every element of the VCP’s design was thoughtfully planned out; nothing was by accident. 

The VCP features a 30-foot flagpole with a pentagonal base. Each side of the base displays an emblem for one of the five U.S. military branches of service in their prescribed order of precedence, per the Department of Defense: United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Coast Guard. (Note: The United States Space Force was established in December 2019 becoming the sixth service branch, years after the VCP was constructed.)

The pavers inscribed with the names of military service members are placed around the flagpole’s base forming the Circle of Honor. The circle represents an unbreakable border and symbolizes support for the American flag.

The pathway leading to the Circle of Honor has pavers inscribed with the names of VCP supporters (individuals, businesses and organizations).

The VCP design represents the unity of all of our military branches, serving steadfast together for all Americans. Our military heroes have worked together throughout history and continue today to keep our country safe.

And as a final touch, the pavers are red, the pentagonal base is white, and the Arizona sky is always blue, representing the colors in the American flag.