Nestled on the southwestern corner of the 112-acre Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler, Arizona, the Arizona Veterans Memorial spans 2.5 acres and stands as an immersive and impactful tribute to the past, present, and future veterans of the Southeast Valley. Meticulously designed by Kimley Horn, this memorial, known as the "Field of Honor," is a space that honors veterans and serves as an educational resource and a contemplative haven for all.

The project was commissioned by the City of Chandler who envisioned a distinctive and reflective space to honor its veterans. According to the Landscape Architects with Kimley Horn, this was no ordinary task as it was challenging to create a memorial that seamlessly integrated with the naturalistic feel of the existing Veterans Oasis Park while providing a unique and atmospheric setting. Through a series of workshops and collaboration with local veterans groups, the firm embarked on the journey to translate this collective vision into a tangible and deeply meaningful design.

The City of Chandler initiated the project with a clear vision, to recognize its veterans in a unique and reflective space. The design process was collaborative, involving workshops with the city and local veterans groups. Beginning its journey in 2009, the main memorial grand opening took place on Veterans Day in 2021, with ongoing improvements and phases, including signage and veteran recognition, still in development.

 
The lower level of the memorial is a ground-level representation of the American Flag. Illuminated plinths of varying heights map out the flag's stars and stripes in a rolling landform, a reflection of the flag rippling in the wind. Cubes, signifying soldiers in formation, rise and fall into the earth, symbolizing the profound journey of soldiers going off to war and returning home. 21 of the cubes are submerged paying homage to the twenty-one-gun salute for soldiers who did not return.

In the upper level, an elevated plaza opens up, overlooking the lower memorial. Here, a star-shaped design, reminiscent of the Arizona state flag, is embedded into the paving. This upper-level star also embodies the metaphor of loved ones watching over soldiers while they are away, representing the War Mother's Service flag.
The upper plaza is paved with a recycled glass aggregate called lithocrete, which was designed in three levels to symbolize the national, state, and local components. The star-shaped element, a visual focal point, is crafted with integral-colored concrete, resembling rammed earth. Eleven illuminated bollards are strategically placed at the memorial entrance. The steps leading to the lower level feature a unique half-circle design at the bottom, adding an extra layer of
architectural intrigue.

To overcome the challenges of maintaining natural turf in the harsh desert environment, artificial turf was chosen for the lower level. The walls surrounding the site are constructed from concrete, poured in lifts to resemble rammed earth, standing at two and a half feet tall. The walls contain various interpretive panels that each tell a unique military story. Their inclusion in the project helped establish a connection between the memorial's narrative and the community of Chandler.

The illuminated plinths and cubes, engineered from a vandal-resistant product, stand as silent sentinels, their heights ranging from three to 10 feet, following the undulating landform design. Benches, serving as moments of contemplation, are crafted from poured-in-place concrete, and adjacent Lacebark Elm trees add a touch of greenery.

The parking lot, an integral part of phase one improvements, is adorned with plants like Prosopis hybrid, Cascalote, red yucca, ruellia, and bush morning glory. This space leads to a signage area which introduces the memorial. Backlit aluminum letters display "Field and Honor" over the concrete wall. At the center of this space, the Landscape Architect placed a Cascalote tree as this species has a unique form and branching pattern that evokes the Sonoran dessert. Plaques along the bordering wall narrate the memorial's history and recognize donors, adding layers of community engagement.

As the sun sets over Chandler, various light fixtures, including wall and stair lights, along with internal LED lights within cubes and plinths, come to life, creating a distinct nocturnal experience. The lighting design is purposeful, emphasizing the cubes and plinths while allowing other elements to fade into the background, creating a contemplative and serene ambiance.

The AZ Veterans Memorial is respected by the Chandler community as a timeless tribute to veterans, a place for remembrance, contemplation, and gratitude. Each element, from the symbolic undulations to the star-shaped upper plaza, stands as a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of those who served. Kimley Horn's thoughtful design captures the very essence of honor, sacrifice, and reflection, weaving them into the undulating landforms and the starlit skies.