Covid 19 may have slowed activities down, but the dedicated people who were planning and fundraising to erect a Gold Star Family memorial in Minnesota did not let the pandemic knock them away from their goal. They received approval from the Dodge County Board of Commissioners to build a memorial on the grounds of the Government Services Building in Mantorville in 2019 and the groundbreaking ceremony for the structure is now scheduled for 10 a.m. May 29, at 721 Main St. N.

The public is invited to attend this event. This will be the first such monument to be erected in the state of Minnesota.

The monuments show support for surviving family members of those who died while serving in the military of the U.S.

The Gold Star tradition dates back more than 100 years to World War I. Family members of those who were deployed placed a blue star on flags or in windows of their homes to show they had a loved one in the service. If that person died, the star displayed was changed to gold.

Hence, being a Gold Star family is, ‘An honor no one wants.’ Gold star lapel pins were authorized by the U.S. Congress after World War II for families of those killed in action.

Gold Star Monuments were founded on this tradition.

The committee that has completed the funding and planning for this monument includes a local Gold Star family; the father, mother, and daughter of a fallen soldier.

Scott Eggert heads the Minnesota campaign to build this memorial. He explained that fundraising is through the Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams Medal of Honor Foundation of Kentucky in conjunction with the CPL Curtis M. Swenson Memorial Fund. Those wishing to donate may contact treasurer Kay Swenson, akaswenson@outlook.com.