Families help dedicate War on Terror monument at American Village

The Alabama Gold Star Families, a nonprofit that recognizes U.S. military members from Alabama who died serving their country, on Sunday dedicated a War on Terror Memorial at American Village in Montevallo.

The group, founded by Hoover resident Marynell Winslow in 2007 after her son Ryan Winslow was killed in Iraq, raised $45,000 for the 8-foot-tall monument. It’s designed to honor military members from Alabama who died in the war against terrorism since 9/11.

The monument includes a 5-foot-tall black granite base and a 3-foot-tall bronze “battlefield cross” memorial on top that includes a helmet perched on a rifle that stands vertical and is supported by a pair of combat boots.

Sunday’s dedication included a ceremony in which families of those killed have the opportunity to place a rose in memory of their loved one on the service member’s memorial brick next to the monument.

There are 158 bricks with service members' names on them right now, said George Winslow, Marynell's husband.

This post, originally a preview of the dedication ceremony, was updated on Sunday, Jan. 24, after the ceremony took place.