A crowd gathering in Monona on Saturday knew exactly how to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

They broke ground on the construction of a veterans monument in Dane County.

The effort to build a memorial began in Verona, but had to be moved because the land set aside for the monument was no longer available.
But those in attendance say they're pretty happy with the final location in Monona's Ahuska Park.

Don Wuthrich, a veteran, came for the event. "I think it's excellent... I think it's very accessible and easy for people to get to. I think its very good."

The monument will be constructed out of Black Hills granite and will include a 22–foot wide star surrounded by six granite columns. It will include the names of all Dane County armed forces veterans killed in service.

The memorial is scheduled for completion in July of 2006.