In 2016, four residents who participated in Honor Flights and one spouse purchased three ‘Tribute Trees’ to honor Barbara Blachly, the HSD events coordinator and staunch supporter of Veterans; Tudy Giordano and Honor Flight Dallas; and Laura Leppert (wife of Dallas Mayor) who founded Daughters of WW II.
Following the planting of the trees, the Veterans Affairs Group (VAG) was formally organized and began a program for the purchase of tribute bricks that would honor HSD Veterans and veteran family members. Highland Springs leadership designated the land for the present Veterans Memorial Park with the first bricks emplaced in 2016.
The Veterans Affairs Group was established on June 14, 2017. The Group is comprised of Highland Springs Residents who are US Military Veterans, along with Resident Spouses and Veterans’ Widows and Widowers. In 2025, the bylaws were revised to give Spouses and Widows general membership instead of “auxiliary” membership and allowed non-veterans to join and hold offices with board approval.
The Veterans Affairs Group conducts Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities honoring the Military Services. In addition, the VAG coordinates the placement of U. S. Flags around the community. The Highland Springs Executive Director approved the use of community property to establish a Memorial Park under the management of the Veterans Affairs Group. The key elements of the Park are the Memorial Bricks which are purchased by residents and are installed and maintained by Highland Springs General Services for the Veterans Affairs Group.
The idea for the Veterans Memorial Park grew from the collaboration of the veteran residents. When the Group contacted the Highland Springs Executive Director about the creation of the Memorial Park, the impetus for the Park was brought forward from Barbara Blachly, Highland Springs staff. The park was dedicated on February 23, 2017. Laura Leppert, president and co-founder of the Daughters of World War II, and Tudy Giordano from Honor Flight DFW, both attended the dedication. Glee Pitney was the master of ceremony. Pete Robertson, a Korean War Navy veteran, as well as a Methodist minister, offered the closing prayer.
In 2019, the VAG was reorganized to meet additional responsibilities. The Fallen Soldier monument was donated, and Highland Springs leadership designed and contributed the brick wall to provide for the 24-hour display of the US Flag, along with the service flags and the POW/MIA flag. Two Park benches were also provided by HSD. Dedication plaques were placed on the benches to recognize founder Al Binko and first VAG chair Glee Pitney.
The VAG later purchased the American Eagle to honor all Veterans. The base was constructed with materials and labor donated by Chris Ebberson at Belgard.
VAG members maintain the service flags, set out the small US flags in the community on special days, present Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, and hold memorial brick sales each November.
During COVID restrictions, resident and strong Veteran supporter Rosian Zerner authored a document that is available by clicking on – “The History of Veterans at Highland Springs”. The work provides details of the above events and includes short biographies of many HSD Veterans.
The Veterans Memorial Park allows residents to honor those who served in the military. The statement of “All Gave Some, Some Gave All” has been the prominent theme of the Park. The Park has grown annually as the Veterans Affairs Group holds Memorial Brick sales every fall.