Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary #patriotic #walkingtour (Vero Beach)

Recently we took a quick hour-long jaunt south from our home in Melbourne to Vero Beach, Florida. We enjoy making this little trek every few weeks, cruising down to Vero and then winding our way back north along A1A or US1. One spot we always hit up is Riverside Park, where we stroll over to the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary.

This sanctuary is a gem of a park. After crossing a short pedestrian bridge, you’re greeted by a sidewalk that loops around the small island. Along the way, you’ll spot monuments honoring various wars—World War I, WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam—plus tributes to each military branch, complete with cozy benches at each stop. Water surrounds the whole place, offering stunning views of causeways, tropical scenery, swanky homes, and condos. You’ll catch boaters, kayakers, and birds drifting by as you wander.

It takes about 30 minutes to amble around the perimeter and through the center at a relaxed pace. Beyond its patriotic vibe, the island’s peaceful charm shines through with lush landscaping, playful squirrels, and those jaw-dropping vistas. Tons of trees provide ample shade, making it a comfy visit anytime.

For folks with mobility challenges, it’s pretty accessible. There’s plenty of parking right by the entrance, including several handicapped spots. The bridge over is short, wide, and made of stamped concrete—easy to navigate. Once across, the path switches to regular concrete, and the perimeter sidewalk, while narrower, still offers enough space to move comfortably.

Besides circling the water’s edge, you can cut through the center to the WWII monument area. There’s a stage for special military events and a somber section highlighting Indian River County’s fallen WWII heroes who never made it back. Rest in peace—#NeverForgotten.

A quick note: I’ve long wanted to film a walking tour of this place for our YouTube playlist, “Highlighting Patriotic Places, Events, People, and Patriotism in General! Going Above and Beyond Showing Love for the USA.” We’ve had our channel for about 15 years but haven’t done much with it. This was my first crack at a decent-resolution video. Halfway around—near the Marine Corps benches, I think—my phone’s storage maxed out, cutting the recording short. After deleting some apps, I finished with a Part 2 at lower quality. Lessons learned!

If you’ve a) found this video, b) watched it all, and c) read this far—thank you from the bottom of my heart! Please consider subscribing, liking, and sharing. These patriotic, tranquil spots are hidden gems worth knowing about. No entry or parking fees, plus clean bathrooms and water fountains nearby—what’s not to love?

To everyone who’s lost a loved one in the U.S. Armed Forces, thank you for keeping their stories alive.

I’ll leave you with a timeless quote from our first President:

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” – George Washington

Thanks again!

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