The Chippewa Valley Veterans Tribute Foundation invites the community to gather in remembrance and gratitude this Memorial Day at the River Prairie Veterans Park. The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will feature a solemn Legacy Stone Dedication, adding new, permanently engraved monuments to the tribute walk to honor local service members.
The event will take place on Monday, May 25, 2026, beginning at 2:00pm at the Chippewa Valley Veterans Park, located on Blazing Star Boulevard in River Prairie Park.
This year’s ceremony will feature traditional military honors, guest speakers, and the formal dedication of newly installed gray and red granite Legacy Stones. Each stone represents a deeply personal story of service, preserving the history of local individuals who stepped forward to protect America’s freedoms.
“Our mission is to ensure that the sacrifices of our local veterans and their families are never forgotten,” said Tim Sexton, Foundation President. “The Legacy Stones are a permanent, living piece of history. Dedicating them on Memorial Day allows our community to stand together, reflect on the true cost of our freedom, and show these families that their loved ones are profoundly honored and loved.”
Event Highlights Include:
- The Legacy Stone Dedication: Recognition of local veterans with gray granite stones, alongside red granite stones dedicated to those missing or killed in action.
- A Walk of Remembrance: Attendees are encouraged to walk the Veterans Tribute Trail to view the 14 interactive tributes, sponsored benches, and monuments.
- The Coin Tradition: Visitors can participate in the historic military tradition of leaving coins on the Legacy Stones as a token of respect (a penny for a visit, a nickel for training together, a dime for serving together, and a quarter for being present when a soldier fell). All collected coins directly fund the maintenance and growth of the Veterans Park.
The ceremony is free and open to the public. Limited seating will be available and attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs.
For more information about the Memorial Day event, how to volunteer, or how to dedicate a Legacy Stone for a loved one in future dedications, please visit www.chippewavalleyveterans.org.
