Work moves forward for new veterans memorial in Wauwatosa

 

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In celebration of Veterans Day, a group in Wauwatosa provided an update and special look at a permanent memorial in the works.

A committee of local veterans has been working since 2019 to create a veterans memorial in Hart Park. Now, the project is coming closer to fruition, as they continue to work with the city.

The Wauwatosa Veterans Memorial Committee is made up of members from VFW Posts 1465, 6498, 8320, and American Legion Post 449.

Originally, the group planned to expand on an existing WWI memorial at Pocket Park, but city leaders recommended a stand-alone spot at Hart Park.

The exact location was marked with a sign on Friday, featuring a QR code with donation information.

The memorial's purpose is to honor every service member from every branch.

"We want to honor all veterans, regardless of when they served," said the committee co-chair, Alex Kaleta.

The structure will be a 7-foot-tall, black granite monument, inscribed, "In honor and memory of all men and women who served in the armed forces of the United States of America to preserve our freedom.

Seven flagpoles will line the back of the monument, along with dedicated pavers.

"We're offering people to buy bricks to honor their relatives who have served," Kaleta said.

The purchases from the public will go toward funding the memorial.

They're hoping to raise about $125,000 to complete the project.

The memorial will be special for veterans like Kaleta, who served active duty for 20 years.

"I've worked with a great number of soldiers, and my respect for them and what they did, what they endured, is just overwhelming," Kaleta said.

Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride attended Friday's unveiling ceremony.

"This is a wonderful day for Wauwatosa," McBride said. "Without their service, we wouldn't be standing here today next to this flag, celebrating this wonderful day."

Organizers hope the new monument will serve as an educational tool for teachers and students.

"They could get a visual recognition of the service that many of their fellow countrymen have performed for their country," Kaleta said.

The group is currently working with a landscape architect to figure out plans for the contractors.

They are hoping to break ground on the monument by Memorial Day.