Fundraiser held for monument to honor gold star families in Keller

KELLER, Texas - The city of Keller is honoring the families of fallen American service members.

An eighth grader came up with the idea of a fundraiser to build a monument in the city.

“These families have gone through so much. They’ve made a huge sacrifice as well as their fallen service member and it’s just good to give them support, their whole family, not just one person in the family. Family, friends… it’s just important to share the love,” said Erin Stillinger, who attends Indian Springs Middle School.

The last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II was at the groundbreaking ceremony Sunday to help encourage donations. Retired Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer “Woody” Williams travels the country at age 95 to push for this kind of memorial.

“This thing isn’t about me at all. It’s about them. And as I say in my motto, the cause is greater than I,” he said.

The goal is to raise $65,000 to build the monument. The foundation has raised $26,000 so far.