Nov 06 2020
Leader-Courier & Times
South Dakota will get its first Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. It will be in Sturgis, near the Black Hills National Cemetery.
The Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation is leading the project. Williams was a Congressional Medal of Honor recognized for his valor at Iwo Jima.
The mission statement of the organization is to honor, recognize and serve Gold Star families and the legacy of their loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
One of its goals is assisting in the promotion, creation and implementation of monuments in every state throughout the country. Some states have more than one.
South Dakota is the 49th state to get a monument. Only Montana remains. In Iowa, monuments are in Fort Dodge and Esterville.
The project will cost $48,000; ground-breaking will take place mid-year 2021.