The Patterson Foundation’s investment in Patriot Plaza honors the Patterson family’s history of military service as well as the service and sacrifice of all our nation’s veterans and their families. The donation serves to strengthen the way our region honors people who served in our nation’s armed forces.

Partnering with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration since 2010, we learned we share an intertwined past.

1855 – Joseph Medill buys into the Chicago Tribune, helps create the Republican Party, and is influential in Abraham Lincoln's election to President in 1860.
1862 – Congress authorizes President Lincoln to purchase grounds for a national cemetery, establishing the beginning of the national cemetery system as we know it today.
1914 – Medill's grandsons Col. Robert McCormick and Capt. Joseph Medill Patterson serve in the U.S. armed forces during World War I.
1944 – Medill's great grandson James J. Patterson graduates from West Point and achieves rank of Captain in the U.S. Army.
1946 – Medill's grandson Capt. Joseph Medill Patterson is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
1997 – Five years after James J. Patterson's death, his widow, Dorothy Clarke Patterson, creates The Patterson Foundation.

The Patterson Foundation worked closely with National Cemetery Administration officials to help Patriot Plaza become a reality. This engagement was the first time a private foundation partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to work on an enhancement of this complexity at a national cemetery. The collaborative model is being shared with communities and with national cemeteries that may be interested in exploring how they can develop their own partnerships with the National Cemetery Administration.

Milestones included:
2008 – Groundbreaking and dedication of Sarasota National Cemetery.
2010 – The Patterson Foundation launches its vision, including a multi-million-dollar partnership to construct Patriot Plaza, an amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery.
2012 – Patriot Plaza groundbreaking at Sarasota National Cemetery.
2014 – Patriot Plaza dedication at Sarasota National Cemetery.

• Ceremonial Amphitheater — Patriot Plaza, itself, is a tangible outcome for our community that has never before had a space dedicated to ceremonies and events honoring veterans and their families. It is a place for the community to take pride in and use for generations to come.
• Partnership Model — The Patterson Foundation is sharing its public-private partnership model with other communities nationwide. The lessons learned from this project will hopefully help others navigate similar philanthropic partnerships.
• Economic Impact — Labor and materials associated with Patriot Plaza had more than a $3 million economic impact on our region.
• Commissioned Art — More than $2 million in art installations at Patriot Plaza provide our region with ways to experience the challenges and sacrifices of military service. In addition, The Patterson Foundation led the development of a program to train Patriot Plaza Guides to give tours in partnership with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.
• Education — Patriot Plaza is among the explorations listed on EdExploreSRQ.com, an online tool tying community experiential learning opportunities with state and national education standards. The Patterson Foundation created EdExploreSRQ in partnership with Sarasota County Schools.
• Tourist Attraction — Patriot Plaza is one of Sarasota’s must-see destinations.

Learn more about Patriot Plaza’s impact through the latest report by The Patterson Foundation.

Legacy of Valor — Beginning in 2013, through 100 Legacy of Valor partnerships lasting 13 months, our caring community rallied around the more than 100,000 veterans and their families who live and work in Southwest Florida. The community movement was built through the “Freedom. Pass It On.” campaign featuring local veterans. This enthusiasm lives on at Patriot Plaza as our community uses the space to honor veterans and their stories for generations to come.

Veterans Legacy Summit — After The Patterson Foundation presented Patriot Plaza to our local community in the summer of 2014, it shared this unique public-private partnership with leaders from across the country in November 2014 during the Veterans Legacy Summit. Leaders from the government, military, philanthropy, national veterans-serving organizations, and others supporting veterans came together to share ideas, learn about unique partnerships such as Patriot Plaza, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of potential to honor our nation’s heroes.

For national inquiries, contact senior consultant Michael Corley: mcorley@thepattersonfoundation.org.

For local inquiries, contact initiative consultant Linda Gould: llgouldsrq@gmail.com.

The first step in planning any event at Patriot Plaza is to contact the Director of Sarasota National Cemetery, 941-922-7200, after you have reviewed the Patriot Plaza Event Hosting Guidelines. Expenses related to hosting events at Patriot Plaza are the responsibility of the event sponsors.

Patriot Plaza is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is free. Weekly tours of Patriot Plaza take place on Tuesday at 10 a.m. except for federal holidays. Participants should meet at the east entrance of Patriot Plaza near the bronze sculpture “Home,“ which depicts nesting eagles.

To schedule a group or school tour, please contact the Educational Director at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County: education@sarasotaarts.org or call 941-365-5118 x301.

In addition, Sarasota County school children have the opportunity to visit Patriot Plaza as part of EdExplorations listed on EdExploreSRQ.com. The Patterson Foundation funds transportation to Patriot Plaza for schools in Charlotte, Desoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Patriot Plaza provides a place to conduct ceremonies honoring veterans and their families. The amphitheater includes an 80-foot-tall stainless steel flagpole, a rostrum that is large enough to accommodate a 55-piece orchestra, and a covered seating area for up to 2,800 people. Learn about Patriot Plaza’s 10 key features and see their locations shown on a map of the facility.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, along with The Patterson Foundation, its volunteer construction and art advisory groups, and paid architecture, design, art, and legal professionals poured over countless hours of concepts and details to ensure Patriot Plaza’s excellence. The Patterson Foundation donated the facility to the National Cemetery Administration and has endowed its upkeep for future generations.

The Patterson Foundation Construction Team

• Debra Jacobs, The Patterson Foundation – President and CEO
• Sandy Beckley, The Patterson Foundation – Initiative Consultant
• Art Bryant, Development Logistics Group – Owner’s Representative
• Gary Hoyt, Hoyt Architects – Design Architect
• Ann Wykell, Social Sector Solutions – Art Consultant
• David E. Sessions, Willis Smith Construction – Construction Manager

Volunteer Advisors

• Construction Advisory Group of industry experts
  • Billy Springer
  • Cliff Truitt
  • John Peshkin
  • Shawn McIntyre
• Art Advisory Group of industry experts
  • Kenny Irby
  • Robin Nigh
  • Mark Ormond

The art installations at Patriot Plaza are some of the space's most inspiring and touching features:

• “Testimonies” by Larry Kirkland
• “Witness to Mission” by Larry Kirkland and Kenny Irby
• “Home” by Ann Hirsch
• “Guardian Eagles” by Pablo Eduardo
• “Night to Day, Here and Away” by Ellen Driscoll
• “Star Map” fabricated by Creative Edge Master Shop

See photos and learn about these six art installations and the artists.

With a goal to preserve memory through art, the installations honor the men and women who serve and their families, while communicating their stories to future generations.

For national inquiries, contact senior consultant Michael Corley: mcorley@thepattersonfoundation.org.

For local inquiries, contact Patriot Plaza initiative lead Linda Gould: llgouldsrq@gmail.com.