The Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Sub-Committee (GSFM) for Veterans Memorial Park and Museum Committee, Inc. formed during the fall of 2022. The GSFM Sub-Committee consisted of several American Gold Star Mothers along with others from local veterans’ groups and organizations who worked tirelessly for three years to raise public funds to support the effort.
Under guidelines set forth by the Woodrow “Woody” Williams Foundation, the GSFM Committee’s goal was to raise enough funds to purchase and place a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral Leroy Collins, Jr. Veterans Museum. Thanks to the partnership and cooperation of Hillsborough County leadership, Veterans Community Services Department staff, Park Rangers, the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County, Inc. and generous donors from local Veterans Fraternal and other organizations and businesses/private donors, the monument was dedicated before a large crowd on October 11, 2025.
This monument became the 155th Gold Star Family Memorial across the United States with more than 46 additional monuments underway in 2025 in 50 states and one U.S. Territory. Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments are a two-sided tribute made of black granite. One side bares the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom. On the other side of the monument, there are scenes etched on each of the four panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice.
At the center of this tribute, is a silhouette of a saluting service member which represents the Legacy of the Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Freedom. Together, these features tell each community’s unique story based upon the Pillars of the Foundation.
The Monuments provide a place of permanence for Gold Star Families to gather and utilize as they see fit. These Monuments belong to them and their fallen Loved Ones.
They are intended to achieve the following goals:
Hershel “Woody” Williams admirably served in the United States Marine Corps which was recognized on October 5, 1945, when he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman for his heroism at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Mr. Williams’ devotion to veterans and their families began long before that battle and before he entered the US Marine Corps. As World War II began, Woody came into direct contact with families in his own community when he delivered Western Union telegrams informing the Gold Star families of the death of their loved one. Woody always said that those experiences gave him a “greater appreciation for life and an understanding of a difference in death in the normal world as expected in life, and those lost serving in the military for their country”. He noted that “consideration and recognition of the families of those lost in military service was very inadequate.” This observation and his personal commitment to veterans and their families brought about the creation of the Woody Williams Foundation.
