NORTH BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL EVENT

Best Places to Work 2008 Awards Reception

September 25, 2008, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, Rohnert Park

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After four years, monument rises to fallen veterans

It has taken more than four years,

but the North Bay’s largest city will finally have a monument to its veterans who died defending our region and our country.

On March 4, ground was broken on the grounds of Santa Rosa City Hall for five granite columns that will bear 443 names. The columns are en route from Italy with the goal of dedicating the monument on Memorial Day.

This is a significant achievement for eight Sonoma County business and political leaders that launched the effort in 2004.

The process wasn’t always easy.

For a time, the monument seemed like it might not happen when its design became mired in politics.

The business and community leaders had proposed a statue of a sailor, a soldier, a boy and a girl. The intent was to pay special tribute to the World War II era with the soldiers’ faces resembling Billy Montgomery and Dante Benedetti, who were both killed in that conflict. The sculptor was already at work when it met opposition because it was made up of only men.

But the leaders kept working to achieve a proud result, raising $265,000 toward the cost. They have about $70,000 to go before Memorial Day.

Most importantly, it won’t be long before this important monument is in place.

And although the faces of Sonoma County’s fallen soldiers won’t be there, their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

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