Howard County Veterans Foundation to unveil monument design

COLUMBIA, Md. — The Howard County Veterans Foundation will unveil the design of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument planned for downtown Columbia. The public presentation will take place on Wednesday, June 7, at 11 a.m. at the Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park at the lakefront in downtown Columbia.

“We’ve been designing and working toward this monument for over five years, and we’re thrilled to finally unveil our design to the public,” said Robert Gillette, president of the Howard County Veterans Foundation. “The monument will be a beautiful, powerful tribute to our veterans in Howard County and beyond, as well as to their families, and will recognize, preserve and celebrate their service and sacrifice.”

The design presentation will showcase renderings of the monument to the public for the first time.

“Howard County is home to more than 20,000 veterans who have served our country with conviction and courage. As a nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to the countless servicemembers who have dedicated their lives to protect and defend our country,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

“As the proud son and grandson of veterans, I know the importance of paying our respect and gratitude to these heroes firsthand. We are honored to partner with the Veterans Foundation and the state of Maryland to support the design and construction of a Veterans and Military Families Monument in downtown Columbia. This meaningful and powerful monument will serve as a place of recognition, remembrance and reflection for the many veterans and military families who have sacrificed in service to our country.”

According to the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families, Howard County’s population includes more than 14,000 residents commuting to jobs at Fort George G. Meade and more than 1,000 students in the county’s public schools who have a parent on active duty.

The Howard County Veterans Foundation honors the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families who live, work or play in Howard County. The foundation holds events dedicated to veterans issues and is developing the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument. (HowardCountyVeterans.org)