KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas' first monument to honor Gold Star families will be unveiled later this month in Olathe.
At least 30 families, whose loved ones have died in service to their country, are expected to attend the Sept. 25 ceremony at Olathe's Veterans Memorial Park.
The tribute – a two-sided monument made of black granite – will be the latest addition to the park, which already features a POW/MIA flagpole, and is part of the Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor Foundation’s mission to construct Gold Star family memorials in communities throughout the country.
Williams himself will speak at the event, along with members of two area Gold Star families:
● Dale Duncan, of Olathe, whose son was killed in 2011 in Afghanistan.
● Debbie Murchison-Perri, of Overland Park, whose son was killed in 2007 in Iraq.
The ceremony is scheduled to coincide with the weekend observance of Gold Star Family Day on Sept. 27.
The event, which begins at 11 a.m., also is open to the public.
For more information, visit the Hershel "Woody" Williams Medal of Honor Foundation website.
