At the intersection of West Highway 388 and Highway 79 near Panama City Beach, a new landmark is taking shape—one designed not simply to be seen, but to be remembered.
Patriots Point is envisioned as a civic memorial and gathering place honoring American patriotism, local heroes, veterans, first responders, and the enduring values that connect generations. Organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the project is being developed in connection with America’s 250th anniversary and is rooted in four guiding principles: Community, Sacrifice, Integrity, and Gratitude.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027.At the center of the vision is Steven Franco, President of Rodos Realty Partners, CEO of Beachworx, and Co-Founder of Assurance Security Advisors. For Franco, Patriots Point is about creating something larger than a monument. He envisions a place where business owners, artists, veterans, community leaders, families, and young people can come together around a shared commitment to service.
“This beacon of hope belongs to everyone” is the spirit behind his vision—a multigenerational movement built on collaboration, gratitude, and purpose.
A Flag That Can Be Seen—and Felt
The centerpiece of Patriots Point will be impossible to miss: a 150-foot flagpole carrying a 40-by-70-foot American flag, rising prominently against the horizon.
Surrounding it will be 50-foot flagpoles, ten historical-era columns, six granite carvings representing the military branches, and a 1,776-square-foot memorial paver plaza, creating a space intended for reflection, remembrance, and community gatherings.
Adjacent to Patriots Point will be The Corner, a planned for-profit mixed-use commercial center being developed by the same team. Beginning in 2028, one percent of The Corner’s annual profits is planned to support Patriots Point’s operating expenses while also helping fund grants, scholarships, and charitable contributions throughout the Panhandle.
The initiative will give preference to veterans, military families, veteran-led requests, and individuals entering military service—extending the mission of Patriots Point beyond its physical grounds and into the community it hopes to serve. Franco’s work with Patriots Point reflects a broader belief in the power of relationships and collaboration.
Recently, alongside colleague Zhalman Harris, CEO of Aletha’s Legacy, Franco helped lead a Sacramento summit that brought agricultural academics and executives together with a presidential delegation from Liberia to address food shortages.
During the gathering, Franco presented the President of Liberia with Tree of Life, an artwork by Panama City Beach artist Cherie Fuller that had been purchased at Patriots Point. The piece served as a symbol of partnership and the belief that meaningful connections can create impact far beyond a single community.
That same philosophy can be seen in relationships with leaders such as Mark Romney of UC Davis’s Aggie Square and Futures Park, as well as regional artists, entrepreneurs, veterans, foundations, and youth advocates.
As President of the Patriots Point Board of Directors, Franco hopes to continue expanding that network—connecting people who share a belief in service and creating opportunities for the next generation to become part of the story.
While the scale of Patriots Point is impressive, its heart remains personal.
One of the veterans whose story embodies the sacrifice being honored is Gary Redden of Destin. At just 21 years old, Redden became an Army Aviator. His military career included helicopter missions in Korea and two Vietnam combat tours with the 5th Special Forces/Project Delta and the Army Security Agency.
He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer after completing 875 combat missions and 1,525 combat flight hours.
For Redden, Patriots Point represents an opportunity to give service members something lasting—a place that acknowledges what they gave and reminds future generations that freedom and community are shaped by the people willing to protect them.
He believes the project can become a valuable asset for service members throughout the region: a physical reminder that the sacrifices of yesterday continue to influence and protect the community today. Patriots Point is also being shaped by a board and community of individuals who believe its legacy should belong to more than one person.
Angela Franco, a member of the Patriots Point Board of Directors, is helping advance the project’s vision of community, sacrifice, service, and patriotism. Her involvement reflects a belief that meaningful landmarks are created not only through construction, but through people coming together around shared values.
Alongside fellow board members Greg Ganske, Rebecca, and Angela Franco is helping build a place where future generations can learn, gather, reflect, and understand the significance of those who came before them.
Together, the board is helping transform Patriots Point from an idea into a community legacy.
For William Blanken, Jr., Treasurer of the Patriots Point Board and a U.S. Navy veteran, service does not end when the uniform comes off.
“The uniform comes off, but the mission doesn’t end. You carry your brothers and sisters with you every single day. You wake up knowing that you owe them something—not words, not a moment of silence once a year, but action. That’s why the Patriots Point legacy project isn’t just something I support; this is how I honor the bond and say thank you.”
Those words capture the deeper purpose behind Patriots Point. At Patriots Point, the flag will rise high—but the legacy will be built by the people beneath it.