Join us Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Foothills Park for the dedication.
The Monument
When the concrete base for our new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was poured, black sand from Iwo Jima was mixed in. The sand was shared with us by Edgar K. Cunningham, a Marine Corps veteran. It now rests in the foundation of the monument at the Lake Oswego Veterans Memorial.
A Tribute to Gold Star families
A Gold Star family is one that has lost a loved one in military service. This monument, sponsored by the Woody Williams Foundation, honors them. The front reads, “A tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and those they left behind.”
The back has four panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice. A saluting soldier is cut out of the granite.
You can view the concept below.
The Iwo Jima Sand
Mr. Cunningham took this sand from Red 1, one of the landing beaches of the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima. He called it sacred to Marines. Now a piece of it is part of this monument.
The foundation behind these monuments was started by Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on Iwo Jima.
Join us November 11
- Event:Dedication of the Woody Williams Foundation Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
- Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
- Time: 10:30 am
- Place: Southwest End of Foothills Park, 5010 Foothills Drive, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
- Program: Presentation of the colors, national anthem, invocation, and remarks from local veterans
- Cost: Free. No RSVP needed.
