Fundraising Campaign Officially Underway to Build, Install, and Dedicate National Tribute
Milwaukee, Wis. March 11, 2020 – The Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation is committed to erecting and dedicating a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in all 50 states – to honor and pay lasting tribute to Gold Star Families that have lost a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
Dale Egan, Vice President of the national Foundation, said, “Several Milwaukee engineering and construction companies have offered to donate materials and services, and multiple Wisconsin and local veterans groups have pledged support. Most importantly, Wisconsin Gold Star Families have expressed appreciation and look forward to the dedication.”
Current support for the Milwaukee Gold Star Families Memorial Monument include:
In-Kind Support
- Milwaukee County War Memorial
- Milwaukee’s 128th Air Refueling Wing
- Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
- Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars (“VFW”)
- Wisconsin Survivor Outreach Services
- Milwaukee Police Department
- Korb & Associates — Architects
- Thornton Tomasetti — Engineering
- Pinnacle Engineering — Civil Engineering
- GESTRA Engineering — Geotechnical Engineering
- Nelson Schmidt Inc. — Marketing Communications
Monetary Donors
- Rotary Club of Milwaukee
- von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
- Frank Steeves
All necessary permits have been secured, and fund raising has started. Approvals for the project began in 2016 and fund raising was officially allowed to begin in December 2019.
Those interested in contributing may do so at: https://www.milwaukeegoldstarmemorial.org/#donate
The anticipated dedication is July 2020 assuming enough money is raised. The amount needed to erect the monument is approximately $130,000.
The monument is a stunning 4-panel black granite – To be located at the Lake Michigan lakefront on the Milwaukee County War Memorial grounds.
It is 14’ x 7’ and features a silhouette of a saluting service member that represents the fallen Hero. It prominently displays an inscription that reads, “Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who Sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.”
There are currently Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments in 29 other states and territories, including Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.
Location: The monument will be located at the Milwaukee lakefront on the north grounds of the Milwaukee War Memorial Center. This is a beautiful year-round location to reflect and honor the families whose relatives paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
About Gold Star Families
Gold Star Families are those that have lost a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson authorized the suggestion made by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who lost a child in the war could wear a black mourning armband with a gold gilt star. This led to the tradition practiced today of a gold star covering a blue star on the Gold Star Service Flag to show that a service member has passed.
About Hershel “Woody” Williams
After Pearl Harbor, Hershel “Woody” Williams enlisted and served in Guam, Guadalcanal, and the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. His heroism on February 23, 1945 as a flame thrower on Iwo Jima was recognized at the White House when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman on October 5, 1945. Prior to enlisting in the Marines during World War II, he delivered Western Union telegrams informing families of the death of their loved one. He noted that “recognition of the families of those lost in military service was very inadequate.” Thus began his lifelong devotion to veterans and their families.
For images and information please visit: https://www.milwaukeegoldstarmemorial.org/