U.S. Naval Air Station at Vero Beach used the eighty-acre McKee Jungle Gardens between 1943 – 1945 for Jungle Survival Training for its Pilots Bound for the South Pacific.
VERO BEACH, FL – February 8, 2023 – On Sunday, February 5, the 26th Secretary of Defense, General (Ret) James Mattis led a commemorative ceremony for WWII Pilots at the McKee Botanical Garden. Eighty years ago, Arthur McKee closed the historic gardens to the public so the dense jungle area could be used in cooperation with the navy in training of Naval pilots in jungle survival. In his remarks, General Mattis, speaking from experience said, “…the jungle is neutral. Yes, it can kill you. But armed with knowledge the jungle can hide you, even nurture and sustain you. It can be your friend…it all depends on knowledge and training. Thus, did Arthur McKee look at this jungle oasis that had been saved from development, and see how he could provide an edge for our airmen’s survival. In so doing, he raised our men’s courage when they climbed into the cockpits overseas, flying into dogfights and on bombing raids over jungles in defense of our nation and our way of life.” The dedication ceremony was attended by McKee’s board of directors, staff, volunteers and retired and active military representatives. The Vero Beach Pipes and Drums and the Neptune Spear Division, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Color Guard added ceremonial distinction to the occasion. The dedication plaque can be found underneath a banyan tree, next to the Koi pond at what was once the entrance to the garden.
McKee Botanical Garden has over 10,000 native and tropical plants and one of Florida’s largest and most celebrated collections of water lilies. More than just a destination for horticultural enthusiasts, McKee recently added the celebrated Children’s Garden and hosts internationally renowned exhibits for its 7,700 members and more than 135,000 annual visitors, to include the current exhibit Garden of Glass by master glass sculptor and artist Jason Gamrath. McKee is a Florida Landmark, is listed on the National Register of Historic places, and is recognized by the Garden Conservancy as a preservation project of national significance. TripAdvisor awarded McKee the distinguished Travelers Choice Award in 2021 and 2022. For more information contact Connie Cotherman 772-794-0601 or visit mckeegarden.org.