City of Elkins Supports Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

ELKINS, W.Va. — May 19, 2025 — At its May 15 meeting, the Elkins City Council approved a $500 donation to support the construction of the Elkins WV Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at All-Veterans Memorial Park (located at Randolph Avenue and Railroad Avenue). The monument will honor families who have lost loved ones in service to the United States (a proposed rendering of the memorial is to the left).

Thanks to a matching donation from Dan McCarthy, District Governor of Rotary Club District 7545, the City of Elkins will be recognized as a Bronze Donor for the project.

“This Gold Star Families Memorial Monument will stand as a solemn reminder of the courage and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes—and the families who carry their legacy forward,” said Mayor Jerry Marco. “Elkins is honored to join communities across America in preserving this sacred tradition. Alongside our All-Veterans Memorial, this monument will deepen the meaning of this space, transforming it into a true veterans’ park where reflection, gratitude, and unity take root. What makes it even more special is that it will reflect the heart of our community, ensuring future generations understand the price of freedom and the enduring strength of Gold Star Families.”

The Gold Star tradition started during World War I, when families displayed service flags with a blue star for each loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. When service members died in combat, families would replace the blue star with a gold star, symbolizing their ultimate sacrifice.

Hershel “Woody” Williams, a native West Virginian, World War II Marine veteran and Medal of Honor recipient for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima, launched the modern movement to build standalone Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments. In 2013, Williams founded the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation (now the Woody Williams Foundation) to establish these memorials across the U.S. The first such monument was dedicated in 2015 in Charleston, West Virginia. Since then, more than one hundred of these memorials have been installed across the U.S., with more in progress. The Louisville, KY-based foundation updates a list of such monuments here: https://woodywilliams.org/monument-projects.html

A dedication ceremony for the Elkins Gold Star Families Memorial Monument will occur on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. local time. The new memorial will be adjacent to the Elkins Veterans Memorial and the new Rosie the Riveter monument. The public is encouraged to attend.

For more information or to contribute to the Elkins monument or others nationwide, visit woodywilliams.org/donation-opportunities.html.