Girl Scout creates garden at Briscoe Park to raise awareness on veterans issues; ceremony Saturday

SNELLVILLE – Archer High School senior Kristin Horne was raised in a military family. So when it came time to complete her Gold Award – the highest achievement a Girl Scout can receive – she knew it had to draw attention to issues facing military veterans.

Horne created a "Garden of Hope" with benches and a rock circle with a plaque highlighting the serious issues veterans face today – post traumatic stress disorder, suicide and homelessness.

On Saturday, her Gold Award project will be dedicated at T.W. Briscoe Park at a 12 p.m. ceremony with city officials.

"I chose the veterans issues because my entire family has basically been in the military and the military in general means a lot to me," she said. "No one really thinks about (the issues facing veterans) until they read about it. I think more people should know about (the issues) because the more people can know about, the more they can help those that are struggling."

There is a QR code on the plaque, which when activated, will take visitors to a website with more information about the effort.

"Her project is to honor those who serve in our military with emphasis on acknowledging that 'Not all wounds are visible,' meaning that those who return, even without physical scars, very much have injuries from what they have experienced," said Parks and Recreation Director Lisa A. Platt, CPRP. "She wanted to create a space in which patrons - ex-military or not - could spend quiet time to relax. Projects like this one, not only help to bring awareness to the sacrifices of those who give of themselves to protect and help us, but it helps beautify Briscoe Park and will allow all our patrons a place to rest, reflect and just enjoy being in nature."

The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony.