Few People Know There’s An Arkansas Navy Seal Memorial Hiding Under Water

The nature found throughout the state of Arkansas is incredible. From rivers to hiking trails to hills and forests, this is a great place to be if you love being outside. But, one of my favorite outdoor spots is a special memorial lying beneath the surface of Lake Ouachita. Honoring Navy SEAL and Arkansan Adam Lee Brown, the Fearless Rock Underwater Memorial is the only one of its kind in the state, and it can only be reached by diving.

Lake Ouachita is a gorgeous destination spot in Hot Springs but the area has more to offer than just pretty views.

Lake Ouachita is home to the state's only underwater memorial that honors fallen service members.

The Fearless Rock Memorial honors Navy Special Warfare Operator Chief (SEAL) Adam L. Brown.

The Arkansas native served as Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator until he was killed in the mountains of Afghanistan on March 17, 2010. He's the subject of Eric Blehm's Fearless, which inspired the memorial's creation.

The memorial can be reached near the foot of the Blakely Mountain Dam about 24-ft. below the surface.

From Blakely Dam Road, the spot is marked with a "24." The number was a favorite of Brown since it was his jersey number in high school.

The memorial was placed by a local dive team on July 27, 2013.

Every March, the dive team participates in the annual Adam Brown Shamrock Run, a 5k that raises money for The Adam Brown Legacy Fund.

Originally the memorial was supposed to lie along the flat bed of the lake but a tornado caused a change in placement.

When a tornado hit the lake earlier in 2013 it ruined visibility beyond 30 feet. The team found the new spot along the riprap to be more fitting since it symbolized Brown's rough life.

Fearless Rock displays a plaque of Adam Brown, an etched stone with his favorite bible verse, and trinkets donated from around the country.

The memorial reads: "In Memory Of A Hero, CPO Adam Lee Brown/"Fearless Rock" Dedicated to the memory and life of Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) & Hot Springs, Arkansas native/who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting our Nation in the mountains of Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on 3/17/2010/proud son devoted husband loving father true warrior FEARLESS/John 15:13/This memorial was dedicated by Arkansas Scuba Divers & Friends to honor Adam and other members of the Special Operation community who have paid the ultimate price for our Freedom."

The items left on the memorial site have expanded from a few trinkets to over 85 tokens of gratitude.

The Batman belt buckle has an especially sweet story. It was donated by 8-year old Matthew from Virginia. He donated his Christmas present after learning that Adam Brown also liked Batman.

Adam Brown isn't the only fallen soldier to be honored at the site.

Next to his plaque is a memorial for the fellow soldiers that died the same night. It reads: "In memory of the 31 Brave Heroes/K.I.A. on Extortion 17 In Afghanistan 08/07/2011/Isaiah 6:8."

We're proud to have such a heartfelt memorial displayed in Arkansas.

If you're needing a scuba certification or to rent equipment to reach the memorial, you can visit the Scuba & Archery Center in Hot Springs.

Fearless Rock, which is also sometimes referred to as the Adam Brown Underwater Memorial, can certainly be visited any time of year as long as you have the right diving gear to make the trip. To stay up-to-date on the memorial, be sure to follow the Fearless Rock Facebook page. If this is a trip you've been wanting to take, consider this your sign to start making plans now! If you're not local, you can always make this a weekend trip by booking a local hotel.

Did you know about this underwater memorial? Have you dived down to see it? Share your experience with us in the comments below!

There are myriad reasons to make a trip to Lake Ouachita, including all of the islands that can be explored.