Leaders Break Ground On Howard County's 1st Monument Honoring Veterans, Military Families

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Officials have broken ground on the county's first monument honoring veterans and military families to be set up at the Vivian C. "Millie" Bailey Park in downtown Columbia.

“This monument will stand as a permanent symbol of honor for those from our community who wore the uniform with pride and gave of themselves so others could live in peace and freedom,” said Howard County Calvin Ball at the groundbreaking. “This site will be a place where families, neighbors and future generations can come to reflect on the true cost of liberty and the deep debt of gratitude we owe our veterans. Let this ground we break be a foundation of honor, for those who served and for the values they protected.”

Larry Kirkland is the commissioned artist to create the monument, which will feature a sculpture made of three symbolic stars. The base star will represent the greater community that supports the military and their families when someone deploys. The blue star commemorates military service members and their families. A hollow gold star embedded in the blue star recognizes the hole left after the loss of service members who have died in the line of duty. A reflecting pond and bench will circle the sculpture and complete the monument, which will be engraved with words and quotes highlighting service, freedom and democracy.

“Eight years ago, many of us gathered right here to declare this piece of land as the future home of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument,” said Robert Gillette, Howard County Veterans Foundation President. “Since then, we've returned to mark other key milestones, such as the opening of this beautiful park—named for an extraordinary veteran and community leader, 1st Lieutenant Vivian Corbett Bailey, or as we know her, Ms. Millie. Two years ago, we gathered to unveil the monument’s design. And today, we return once again to put shovels in the ground and begin the final phase of this incredible project. If all goes as planned, we’ll be back here early next year to officially open the monument and declare: “Mission Accomplished.””

In late 2020, the Vivian C. "Millie" Bailey Park opened in downtown Columbia at Lake Kittamaqundi. The multi-use park was developed by the Howard Hughes Foundation and is owned by Howard County. The Park was named for longtime Howard County resident and community leader Vivian C. Bailey, better known as “Ms. Millie,” in recognition of her military service during World War II and her lifelong commitment to public service.

“We’re honored to have played a role in this monument and this park to life,” said Kristi Smith, president of the Maryland region of Howard Hughes. “The park has been a popular playground, and it really honors its namesake. We know his monument will also become an important spot for reflection, for our community and a space for us to honor those who have given so much of themselves to protect the rights for all of us.”

The Howard County Veterans Foundation officially reached its fundraising goal of $2.75 million in late 2024; construction of the monument will begin this year.

“As veterans, we have stories. We have our families. We have our grief and our experiences that others may not understand. But in the quiet places, away from the din of life, we can think about all the reasons, we can remember our fallen comrades, our shared laughters, our bitter sorrows,” said Bill Swain, Marine Corps League.

Ball provided more than $1.5 million in funding toward the foundation’s total fundraising goal of $2.75 million to design, build and maintain the monument.

“After many years of anticipation, we look forward to having this monument grace our lakefront and add to the spirit of togetherness CA is committed to fostering,” said Shawn MacInnes, president of the Columbia Association.

There are 20,000 veterans who reside in Howard County. More than 1,000 students in the Howard County Public School System have a parent who is on active duty.

“It’s certainly our military community, our veteran community that is goal oriented and mission driven. All of you understood the goals, and we’re carrying out this mission impeccably,” said Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam.

The Foundation was founded in 2016 with the intention to design, develop, and install a Veterans Monument to honor Howard County veterans and military families.

“This is more than a groundbreaking ceremony. It’s a solemn promise that the service and sacrifice of Howard County’s veterans and their families will never be forgotten,” added Sean Keller, Howard County Commission for Veterans and Military Families.

More details about the project can be found at the Howard County Veteran Foundation’s website.