Tidewell Foundation Unveils Patriot Plaza Art

March 25, 2022 – Sarasota

The Tidewell Foundation unveiled and dedicated an art installation sourced from Sarasota National Cemetery’s Patriot Plaza at a special event, “A Monument to our Patriots,” Thursday, March 24, 2022 at the Tidewell Foundation’s administration building in Sarasota.

The Patterson Foundation recently donated the glass monument that once stood at Patriot Plaza, the 2,800-seat ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery, to the Tidewell Foundation and the Tidewell Honors Veterans Program. Thursday’s event also featured the presentation of colors and singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by students from Sarasota Military Academy, along with a Tidewell Honors Veterans pinning ceremony to recognize the veterans in attendance.

“The Tidewell Foundation is grateful to The Patterson Foundation for the contribution of a second Patriot Plaza panel, which will stand in our offices for the enjoyment and inspiration to our patients, families, visitors and employees,” Tidewell Foundation President Debbie Mason said. “This panel resonates with the commitment that the Tidewell Foundation has to honor and support our community’s veterans.”

Fully funded by The Patterson Foundation and donated to the community in 2014, Patriot Plaza features art that honors veterans, inspires patriotism and embraces freedom. The Patterson Foundation commissioned lead artist Larry Kirkland to create marble tablets for display at Patriot Plaza. Kirkland called these marble wonders “Testimonies.”

The “Testimonies,” made of 16 Georgia white marble slabs, stand along the north pedestrian path of Patriot Plaza. Each photo consists of four laminated panels of glass, with a combined weight of 285 pounds. The glass is imprinted with a photographic image while the attached stone includes engraved text, reflecting the personal voices of those who have served, supported and sacrificed in military life.

Following replacement of the panels during Patriot Plaza’s regular upkeep, The Patterson Foundation donated two of the glass photographic images and a contribution to help refurbish them to Tidewell Hospice and the Tidewell Foundation. The first panel, “Support”, was installed at the Tidewell Hospice Sarasota administrative building on Rand Road on Jan. 23, 2020.

The Tidewell Foundation unveiled “Legacy,” the second of these two panels, at Thursday’s event. The panel features a photo of Capt. Lorne McDonald, U.S. Navy Reserve, with his squadron. It was shared by his family, and it now stands proudly in the Tidewell Foundation’s lobby as a testament to the Foundation’s commitment to veterans.

“Patriot Plaza aspires to connect generations of Americans with the stories of service and sacrifice that continue to safeguard the freedoms we hold dear,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “By giving both pieces of art a dignified, mission-aligned home, the Tidewell Foundation is sharing those stories with more people in ways that instill a deep appreciation for the invaluable contributions of our veterans and military families.”

Since its inception in 2008, the Tidewell Honors Veterans Program has served more than 21,000 veterans in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties, providing specialized care that recognizes the unique challenges that may exist in military families.

The program also respectfully celebrates veterans and their service to our country. Volunteer veterans conduct pinning ceremonies across the Tidewell Foundation’s service area to thank veterans for their service. The Tidewell Honors Veterans Program is 100 percent supported by donors.

Tidewell Honors Veterans is one of 215 hospices, and one of two in Florida, to achieve Level 5 certification in the national We Honor Veterans Program.