Monument Covering 25K Square Feet Honors Howard County Veterans And Military Families

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The design of a monument honoring veterans and military families in Howard County has been unveiled. The monument will be constructed at at the Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park in Columbia.

The monument spans 25,000 square feet and features three stars resting on top of a circular reflecting pool, which represents tears shed and blood spilled as well as healing. A blue star commemorating veterans and their families lies on a base star symbolizing the support of the community at large. Hollowed from the center of the blue star is a gold star honoring those lost in the line of duty.

“Our veterans are the guardians of our freedom and protectors of the way of life we so dearly cherish,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said at the public unveiling. Ball's father was a Vietnam War-era U.S. Air Force veteran. “It’s beyond time that we create a space to remember and honor them each and every day.”

A reflecting pond and bench will circle the sculpture and complete the monument, which will be engraved with words and quotes about the virtues of service, freedom and democracy.

“We’re building a monument that recognizes, preserves and pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of veterans and military families in Howard County and deepens the public’s appreciation of the courage, conviction and sacrifice made by them in support of our community and nation,” said Robert Gillette, president of the Howard County Veterans Foundation. “We hope everyone who visits the monument will leave with a renewed sense of gratitude at the profound commitment of military service.”

In June 2017, the tract of land at the Lakefront in Columbia was dedicated as the future home of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument. Since then, the space has been transformed into a public park named in honor of World War II veteran and iconic Howard County community leader Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park. On the eastern end of the park, closest to the lake, is a community gathering place. Further west in the park is a playground area.

The Howard County Veterans Foundation is raising $2.75 million to build and maintain the monument. Maryland grants totaling $1.5 million, Howard County grants totaling $295,000 and private donations totaling $51,000 comprise the initial funding.

“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.

Artist Larry Kirkland designed the monument and has been working on the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument since 2017.

“We’ve spent over five years carefully considering and designing every detail of the veterans monument to properly pay tribute to our veterans and families,” Gillette said. “We want it to be a place for the community to gather on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day and throughout the year to celebrate the freedoms and privileges our veterans swore an oath to protect.”

To view artist renderings of the monument, visit https://www.howardcountyvetera...