Groundbreaking set for Naperville Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

A groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the Naperville Gold Star Families Memorial Monument will be held at 1:45 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Park, 301 East Gartner Road.

The monument, sponsored by Naperville's Century Walk Foundation and the Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, will be built to honor Naperville families of military members who died serving their country. According to the Woody Williams Foundation, Naperville has lost 127 military members in wars through the years.

The two-sided, black gramite monument will be 7 feet tall and 15 feet wide. One side of the monument will read "Gold Star Families Monument ... a tribute to Gold Star Families and relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom." The other side will feature four detailed panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice.

The Naperville Municipal Band will begin the ceremony with patriotic music. The Naperville Men's Glee Club will perform, and the VFW and American Legion Color and Honor Guards will be in attendance along with Gold Star families, Naperville city officials and park district officials.