Memorial Day is a sacred time of reflection. It is a day dedicated to remembering the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage secured our freedom, and their legacy deserves to be preserved and shared with generations to come.
Here in Cortland, the Veterans Memorial stands as a beautiful, physical testament to that sacrifice. However, we know that not everyone who wishes to pay their respects can visit the memorial in person. Veterans who have moved away, families of the fallen living across the country, and those with limited mobility often miss the opportunity to stand on these sacred grounds.
That is why we have spent the last few weeks working on a special project. Today, we are profoundly honored to announce that the Cortland Veterans Memorial Google Street View 3D Tour is officially live and published.
Bringing the Memorial to Everyone, Everywhere
This project was born out of a desire to make remembrance accessible to all. By utilizing Google Street View technology, we have mapped the memorial in high-definition, 360-degree imagery and published it directly to Google Maps.
Through this immersive virtual tour, visitors can now digitally walk the pathways, read the inscriptions, and take a moment of quiet reflection at the memorial from the comfort of their homes, anywhere in the world.
Whether you are a local resident wanting to experience the memorial in a quiet moment of reflection, or a veteran living thousands of miles away, this space is now open to you 24/7.
A Labor of Love and Remembrance
Capturing this space required waiting for the perfect moments—like the bright, mid-day sun illuminating Old Glory overhead. Every still image and every 360-degree panorama was captured with the utmost reverence.
We wanted to ensure that the digital experience mirrored the peaceful, solemn atmosphere of walking the grounds in person. As you navigate the virtual pathways, you can get a clear view of the central fountain and the powerful statue of the soldier kneeling before a Battlefield Cross.
We encourage you to pause along the digital path, read the names, and take a moment to reflect on the immense cost of the freedoms we enjoy today.
Experience the Cortland Veterans Memorial Virtual Tour
You can explore the memorial directly through the embedded view here.
Open Tour in Full Screen (Best for Mobile)
If you are viewing this on a smartphone or want a completely immersive experience, click the link below to open the tour directly in Google Maps:
Help Us Share This Tribute
This Memorial Day weekend, as we gather with family and friends, let us keep the true meaning of the holiday close to our hearts.
If you know a veteran, a military family, or a Cortland native who would find comfort or pride in seeing this memorial, please share this post with them. Let us ensure that those who gave everything are never forgotten, no matter how far away we may be.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the tour. Head over to our Facebook or Instagram page to share your experience, or to post a memory of a loved one you are honoring this weekend.
About This Project:
This 3D virtual tour was photographed, produced, and published as a community service project by Strategic Air Captures. To learn more about how we use immersive 360-degree technology to map locations, or to see examples of how we bring local businesses and public spaces like this one to life online, explore our Google Street View Virtual Tours page.