Naperville in DuPage County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

A tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.

— Homeland • Family • Patriot • Sacrifice —

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 5, 2026

1. Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Marker

Inscription.

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. A tribute to Gold Star Families and Relatives who sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom.. This monument honors, recognizes and serves Gold Star Families and the legacy of their Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. , , The Homeland panel depicts images representing Naperville, Illinois, which is home to many Gold Star Families. It is our people, it is our family, it is our freedom. Etched upon this panel in Veterans Park is a scenic view of the Moser Tower with its 72-bell Millennium Carillon standing behind the Field of Honor flags. It represents our community's enduring commitment to the sacrifices of the men and women and their families who call Naperville home. , , The Family panel represents the uniquely brave spirit of our military families who provide support to their Loved Ones serving in our Armed Forces. Every Fourth of July, spectacular fireworks displays unite the community to celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress. , , The Patriot panel shows the raising of the American Flag on Iwo Jima, symbolizing all individuals who vigorously support and defend our great nation through selfless service in our Armed Forces. The Sacrifice panel represents the sacrifices made by our Gold Star Families by the loss of their Loved Ones while in service to our country. One grave marker sits among many. It could bear the name of any one of our community members who has chosen to serve our nation. The hands accepting the American flag represent every mother, father, wife, husband, and child who have lost a loved one in service to our nation's freedom. , , The silhouette of the saluting service member represents the Legacy of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. , , This monument is a project of the Naperville, Illinois, Gold Star Family Monument Committee, Century Walk Corporation, and the Woody Williams Foundation.

This monument honors, recognizes and serves Gold Star Families and the legacy of their Loved Ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The Homeland panel depicts images representing Naperville, Illinois, which is home to many Gold Star Families. It is our people, it is our family, it is our freedom. Etched upon this panel in Veterans Park is a scenic view of the Moser Tower with its 72-bell Millennium Carillon standing behind the Field of Honor flags. It represents our community's enduring commitment to the sacrifices of the men and women and their families who call Naperville home.

The Family panel represents the uniquely brave spirit of our military families who provide support to their Loved Ones serving in our Armed Forces. Every Fourth of July, spectacular fireworks displays unite the community to celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress.

The Patriot panel shows the raising of the American Flag on Iwo Jima, symbolizing all individuals who vigorously support and defend our great

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nation through selfless service in our Armed Forces. The Sacrifice panel represents the sacrifices made by our Gold Star Families by the loss of their Loved Ones while in service to our country. One grave marker sits among many. It could bear the name of any one of our community members who has chosen to serve our nation. The hands accepting the American flag represent every mother, father, wife, husband, and child who have lost a loved one in service to our nation's freedom.

The silhouette of the saluting service member represents the Legacy of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

This monument is a project of the Naperville, Illinois, Gold Star Family Monument Committee, Century Walk Corporation, and the Woody Williams Foundation.

Erected 2023.

Topics and series. This monument and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Gold Star Families series list.

Location. 41° 45.528′ N, 88° 8.4′ W.

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 5, 2026

2. Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

Monument is in Naperville, Illinois, in DuPage County. It is on Gartner Road 0.1 miles north of Edgewater Drive, on the right when traveling south. The memorial is near the south end of the parking lot for Veterans Park. Touch for map. Monument is at or near this postal address: 303 East Gartner Road, Naperville IL 60540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial monument is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sp 5 Kenneth J. Shimp (here, next to this marker); Celebration of Peace (a few steps from this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Park: Remembrance, Nature and Community Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Restoring the Riverbank at Lincoln Greenway

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 5, 2026

3. Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pioneer Park: Oak Woodland Restoration (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pioneer Park: Prairie Restoration (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Naperville.

More about this monument. The memorial features a four large panels etched with patriotic artwork. In front of that is the small marker whose inscription is printed above.

The memorial was unveiled on May 27, 2023.

Also see . . . Naperville unveils new Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. From the website of U.S. Congressman Bill Foster, who represents Illinois' 11th District, which includes most of Naperville, including Veterans Park.

Excerpt: "Mike King, from the Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of the day as a tribute to the Gold Star Families and Relatives who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. He shared the inspiring story of Woody Williams, a World War II veteran whose dedication to honoring veterans and their families never ceased."

(Submitted on July 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Gold Star Families Memorial donors image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 5, 2026

4. Gold Star Families Memorial donors

Veterans Park on Gartner Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 5, 2026

5. Veterans Park on Gartner Road

The Gold Star Families Memorial can be seen in the distance on the far right.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.