On May 8, 2024, at 6 p.m., American Legion Post 227 in Spring Valley, Wis., held a short groundbreaking ceremony for our new veterans' war memorial.

It has been a number of years since the original veterans' war memorial was removed as part of the nursing home demolition. We have begun working to build a new memorial in tribute to those from the Spring Valley area who gave their lives in conflict while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

We are building this outdoor memorial with accessibility in mind. Our hope is that anyone who wishes may come to read names of the fallen and take a moment to honor their memory.

The location for this monument is just west of the original location, and next door to Spring Valley Dentistry near Park Drive and World War I Veterans Memorial Highway (Hwy 29). It is our hope that this site will serve as a reminder of their sacrifice and of the cost to their families and to this community.

At the groundbreaking, the post commander gave a speech in which he quoted President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"On October 14, 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said these words at the dedication of the World War Memorial in St. Louis, Mo.

'We in America do not build monuments to war. We do not build monuments to conquest. We build monuments to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice in war- reminders of our desire for peace. The memory of those whom the war called to the beyond urges us to consecrate the best that is in us to the service of country in times of peace. We best honor the memory of those dead by striving for peace, that the terror of the days of war will be with us no more.'"

Our post would like to thank everyone who came out and participated, and for joining us in commemorating this occasion.