[St. Paul, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today unveiled a new Veterans’ Memorial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona at an event attended by veterans and community supporters.

“Veterans deserve to be remembered and honored for their service – no matter where they’re from or where they served,” said Governor Walz. “Veterans cemeteries like Woodlawn are sacred ground that reflect our devotion to those who’ve served our nation.”

The memorial is intended to serve as a place of healing for veterans and their families and as an educational tool for the public.

The monument features a series of stones and large flagpoles. Each stone is inscribed with a brief history of a U.S. war. The memorial also includes markers detailing the cemetery’s own history and describing the work of Maine-based Wreaths Across America, which lays wreaths on veterans’ graves.

Woodlawn Cemetery is home to a Revolutionary War-era soldier and veterans from almost every conflict since the Civil War.

In addition to Governor Walz, attendees included Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Larry Herke, Ronald Wanek, who advocated for and contributed to funding for the memorial, local and state leaders including Tom Slaggie, Board President of Woodlawn Cemetery, State Representative Gene Pelowski, and State Senator Jeremy Miller.