Proposed monument at Riverside National Cemetery would honor Gold Star families

Mark Muckenfuss | The Press Enterprise

An event to promote a new memorial at Riverside National Cemetery is planned for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25.

Dee Dee Rodler said she and other organizers of a proposed Gold Star Family monument will be joined by World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams for the official kickoff of the monument project. Williams has a foundation that promotes Gold Star monuments.

Gold Star Families are those that have lost a member due to military service, including those killed in combat or those who have succumbed to other service-related injuries.

“This is basically our kickoff to let people know what we’re doing and get them involved,” Rodler said.

Rodler said the group will be designing the monument in line with an image that has been used for other Gold Star family memorials.

Riverside National Cemetery was the first national cemetery outside of Arlington to erect monuments on its grounds. The cemetery has memorials for Medal of Honor recipients, veterans and POW/MIAs. Plans also are underway to add a monument honoring American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.

The event will be held at in the amphitheater of the national cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside.