Beyond The Blog
Beyond the Blog is an evolution of The Patterson Foundation’s storytelling approach focused on creating and sharing engaging content featuring the people, organizations, and communities strengthened through the Foundation’s work. This idea began and grew in 2022 with strategic oversight from MagnifyGood, guidance from Debra Jacobs, and content planning, coordination, and production by Kellie Alexander and Rachel Hettinger.
Beyond The Blog
Patriot Plaza’s Legacy: Rehoming Testimonies’ Seven Tablets
Our nation's national cemeteries are the final resting places for men and women who served our country with unmatched valor. Patriot Plaza, a 2,800-seat ceremonial amphitheater at Sarasota National Cemetery (SNC) in Florida, features commissioned art that honors veterans, inspires patriotism, and embraces freedom.
Beginning in 2022, The Patterson Foundation began creating new opportunities for our community to connect with Patriot Plaza's stories of service and sacrifice by contributing pieces of its commissioned artwork to community partners working to strengthen our veterans and military families. Each piece of art once stood within the "Testimonies" exhibit at Patriot Plaza prior to replacement during the amphitheater's regular upkeep. Featuring a photographic image encased in glass and a Georgia white marble tablet inscribed with an engraved drawing and text, the art reflects the personal voices of those who have served, supported, and sacrificed across generations of military history.
On February 19th, 2025, Echoes of Valor: A Patriot Plaza luncheon celebrated the installment of seven Testimonies tablets across the following seven selected community agencies:
- Tidewell Hospice Sarasota (Video)-Tablets Support
- Goodwill Manasota - (Video) - Tablet Integrity
- University of South Florida (Video)- Tablet Sacrifice
- Sarasota Military Academy (Video) - Tablet Courage
- Ringling College of Art and Design - Tablet Resilience
- Community Foundation of Sarasota - Tablet Morale
- Tidewell Foundation–Tablet Legacy
To explore the significance of these meaningful gifts, Kiarra Louis invites Victoria Finley, Patriot Plaza's initiative lead, to join her for a Beyond The Blog conversation.
- Key Quotes:
- "The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is an important partner in what we're doing with the posterity and the perpetuity of Patriot Plaza. The Community Foundation stewards the endowment for the capital maintenance of the plaza."
- "The testimonies within Patriot Plaza bring history to life, making the sacrifices and service of veterans tangible for future generations."
- "And it is art in itself that points to and underlines the purpose behind Patriot Plaza, which in three short phrases is to honor veterans, inspire patriotism, and embrace freedom."
- Timestamps
- 1:05 - About Patriot Plaza
- 2:27 - Patriot Plaza is for Everyone
- 4:02 - About Testimonies
- 6:20 - Rehoming Seven Tablets
- 8:21 - Recognizing the Six Tablet Organization Recipients
- 8:43 - Community Foundation of Sarasota County - Tablet Morale
- 9:08 - Goodwill Manasota - (Video) - Tablet Integrity
- 9:33 -