Established as a memorial to U.S. veterans, this
park features a museum with aircraft, armored vehicles, uniforms,
weapons, medals and other items from the Revolutionary War through
the Gulf War. Located on 8,600-acre Lake Blackshear, this one of
Georgia’s most popular state parks. Activities include
boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, golf, camping, model airplane
flying, and disc golf. The park is home to the 18-hole Georgia
Veterans Memorial Golf Course and the Lake Blackshear Resort, which
includes a conference center, lodge, lakeside villas, a marina, and
two restaurants. Georgia Veterans is also a stop for the SAM
Shortline Excursion Train, which runs through the park on its way
from Cordele to Plains.
The final stage is an ammo box with a lock. You
will need to visit the first four stages and read the signs in
order to figure out the combination to the lock.
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Stage 1 (at posted coordinates)
As you enter the park, you will see two
historical markers on the right. The first marker describes the
Spanish-Indian Battle of 1702 that took place near here. The second
is a Blue Star Memorial Highway marker, which is "A tribute to the
Armed Forces that have defended the United States of America." This
marker was sponsored by three organizations, the last being the
Georgia Department of _____? You will need the first letter of this
word.
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Now proceed to Stage 2 (N 31 57.412 W 083
54.673)
On the way to Stage 2, you will pass by the
Visitor Center and the open-air museum featuring many interesting
military aircraft and vehicles on display. Of course you can stop
and take pictures if you like, but you will be back by here in a
few minutes so you might want to wait til you get back. Stage 2
takes you to the US Armed Forces memorial. Take a moment to read
the names on the bricks and thank them for their service to our
country. The five branches of the US military are engraved on the
pillars of the monument. Look for the 2nd from left. You will need
the third letter of this branch of military.
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Now proceed to Stage 3 (N 31 57.245 W 083
54.966)
Here you will find a historic marker that
designates this park was given to the state of Georgia in 1946 "In
grateful appreciation of, and as a living memorial to the devotion
to duty, the heroic service, and unselfish sacrifice of Georgia War
Veterans." Beside the marker is a stone monument with a plaque
naming this as the location of the group camp that was established
here in 1952 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In 1979, the VFW
donated three things to the Department of Natural Resources. You
will need the first letter of the second thing that was
donated.
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Now proceed to Stage 4 (N 31 57.528 W083
54.706)
Remember before when I said you would be back to
the open-air museum? Well here you are. Take a few minutes to walk
around the displays and read the informational signage at each one.
They are very interesting to read about even if you are not a fan
of military history. Feel free to take pictures but please do not
climb on any of the equipment. Stage 4 will take you to one of the
aircraft on display, the HU-1 helicopter, better known as the Huey.
The sign describes how the Huey got it's nickname, but "Huey" is
not it's official name. The Army, maintaining a policy of naming
its helicopters after Indian tribes, officially named this aircraft
the ______? You will need the last letter of this word.
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Final Stage (N31 57.597 W 083
54.669)
Now that you have gathered the information you
need to open the lock, proceed to the final stage. The cache is
located inside the Visitors Center, which is open 8am - 5pm daily.
Just tell them you are a geocacher and they will know what you
seek. The letters you have gathered will open the combination lock,
but you must unscramble them to spell a word. It will not be
difficult to figure out, just think of what you have learned today
from your tour of this park. Please be sure to re-lock the cache
and mix the combination up for the next person.
The cache is full of good swag, so if you trade,
please be sure to trade even or up. The Visitors Center has many
nice items for sale if you didn't bring anything along. You might
also want to pick up a hiking stick or other souvenir while you're
here. Please support our parks as they are doing a great job of
supporting us!
Special thanks to Ranger Meeks and the staff
at Georgia Veterans for all their help and support of geocaching
and to all of our Veterans for your service to our
country.