Welcome to China Grove, NC

The China Grove Vietnam Memorial was erected in Hanna Park on May 5, 1971 to honor three men from China Grove that were a casualty of the Vietnam War.  On March 3, 1970, US Marine Private First Class Ricky Norman Lowder was a casualty of war.   On March 16, 1970, US Marine Private First Class Richard Hugh Propst was a casualty of war.  On August 9, 1970, Sergeant Herman Victor Sturm Jr was a casualty of war.   All three men had been members of a group known as the “In Crowd,” that gathered in a lot that was then vacant and adjoining the area where Hanna Park is located.  

In the years that followed, the Memorial was vandalized and the Plexiglas front was broken and the letters of the names where taken.  The Town bricked the Plexiglas area and placed a bronze plaque on the front of the Memorial with the three men’s names.  A rededication of the Memorial was held on November 13, 1983.

In April of 2016 the Town started renovations to Hanna Park to build a permanent stage.  The China Grove Vietnam Memorial plaque was on display at Town Hall until the completion of the Hanna Park stage.  On April 30, 2018 the bronze plaque was reinstalled in Hanna Park on the stage front.  On May 1, 2018 the Town Council adopted a Proclamation in Commemoration of the 47th Anniversary of the China Grove Vietnam Memorial.  

The China Grove Vietnam Memorial was erected in Hanna Park on May 5, 1971 to honor three men from China Grove that were a casualty of the Vietnam War. On March 3, 1970, US Marine Private First Class Ricky Norman Lowder was a casualty of war. On March 16, 1970, US Marine Private First Class Richard Hugh Propst was a casualty of war. On August 9, 1970, Sergeant Herman Victor Sturm Jr was a casualty of war. All three men had been members of a group known as the “In Crowd,” that gathered in a lot that was then vacant and adjoining the area where Hanna Park is located.In the years that followed, the Memorial was vandalized and the Plexiglas front was broken and the letters of the names where taken. The Town bricked the Plexiglas area and placed a bronze plaque on the front of the Memorial with the three men’s names. A rededication of the Memorial was held on November 13, 1983.In April of 2016 the Town started renovations to Hanna Park to build a permanent stage. The China Grove Vietnam Memorial plaque was on display at Town Hall until the completion of the Hanna Park stage. On April 30, 2018 the bronze plaque was reinstalled in Hanna Park on the stage front. On May 1, 2018 the Town Council adopted a Proclamation in Commemoration of the 47th Anniversary of the China Grove Vietnam Memorial.