Freedom Point Supporters Hope To Raise $2 Million For Monument

Supporters of a new monument that is planned to honor veterans and first responders in Lions Park say they hope to raise $2 million in donations to construct the monument.

That's according to Tracy Woods, President of the Compass of Honor Memorial Foundation.

Woods appeared on the ''Weekend in Wyoming'' on AM 650, KGAB on Saturday. You can hear that interview on the audio file attached to this interview. Woods said in the interview that while the city is responsible for the maintenance of Lions Park, organizers are trying to raise the bulk of the money for the construction of the monument. He says the goal is to have $2 million raised by the spring of 2026.

But he says if that deadline isn't met, they will keep working until the money is raised, adding that they are determined to make it happen.

Woods says as much as possible the monument will try to use Wyoming companies to to build the monument "because this is going to be for Wyoming by Wyoming."

How People Can Donate

You can donate to the Compass of Honor Memorial Foundation or through the City of Cheyenne. But Woods says the foundation is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization, so they can issue tax deductible letters to allow donors to write of donations on their income taxes. The city is not a 501 (3) (c).

Monument supporters will also be selling bricks to raise money. The bricks will be of various sizes and donation levels. Brick donors at a certain level can receive a plaque at the park.

The bricks can be inscribed with the name of a family or loved one, with the inscription depending on the size of the brick and how much room is available for the inscription.

People who donate $10,000 can have a park bench named for them.

Woods says the foundation is hoping to hold a groundbreaking on the monument "very soon."

What Will The Memorial Include?

According to a post on the City Of Cheyenne Facebook page, the memorial will include the following:

 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, which will feature an 80 percent replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

 The Global War on Terror Tribute, which will honor veterans who have served in campaigns related to the War on Terror around the world and will feature a commemorative bronze sculpture;

 The Desert Storm Memorial, which will include a bronze sculpture to remember those who served in the Gulf War;

 The Military Branch Plaza, which will include a display of each military branch’s flag and bronze statues honoring each branch;

 The POW/MIA Headstone Section, a solemn area dedicated to those who were prisoners of war or missing in action; and

 A tribute to the War at Home, honoring veterans who have died by suicide and remembering those who made it home but carried the weight of war long after the battlefield.

The post goes on to say:

In addition, Freedom Point will include a space for first responders – firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical technicians. This area will honor those who are the first to arrive and last to leave, running toward danger when others run away.

Woods says various groups are working on the different planned displays, and says he is hopeful that with so many different people working to raise money, the $2 million donation goal will be achievable.

You can hear his interview on KGAB radio here.