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The Ring of Honor stands on the west courthouse lawn and replaces the "Wall of Honor" located inside the courthouse atrium.
"We had the Wall of Honor on the first floor of the courthouse. You couldn't see all the names, however, because there were some trees in the way and also because of its location near the security checkpoint," said Arthur Velasquez, chief administrator for county judge Joe King. "Most people were focused on getting through security and so they did not notice it. It was also inaccessible on the weekends because the courthouse is closed."
Velasquez, 58, is a Vietnam- era veteran, though he did not see combat. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1973-75.
Velasquez said the commissioners court in 2007 was concerned about the visibility and accessibility of the Wall of Honor and called for forming a committee to address the issue and propose a new memorial. The committee, of which he was chairman, met bimonthly over the intervening years to discuss costs, ideas for the memorial and to perform fundraising.
The committee's efforts resulted in construction of the $650,000 memorial which measures about 45 feet across, Velasquez said. It contains a ring of 3-foot tall walls on three sides and a 6-foot tall wall in front of two flag poles. The walls contain the names of 100 Brazoria County residents killed in action through various wars running from World War I to the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"The majority of the money to construct the memorial came directly from the community. I don't think folks will see anything quite like this anywhere else in the state. We are proud of what has been accomplished," Velasquez said.
He said the committee's and commissioners' goal was to demonstrate pride in the sacrifices made by "men and women who gave their all for our freedom. We don't want them to be forgotten."
"Remembering their sacrifice," Velazquez said, "helps us appreciate and preserve our freedom and shows us the high price required to do so."
He said many family members of veterans whose names are listed on the memorial have expressed their appreciation that the county is taking this action to remember their loved ones.
Former county veteran's assistance officer John Jarebeck chaired the Ring of Honor committee until his unexpected death in December 2011. Current veteran's assistance officer Sonya Broadway firmly believes he would be very happy with how the memorial turned out.
"Mr. Jarabek took a cross-country motorcycle ride to Washington, D.C., some years ago. He was gone for a week or two. All along the way he stopped at various memorials and took pictures. He told me he wanted to see the county construct something that no one would forget," Broadway said.
"Now, this memorial is out in front and says, 'Look at me. Here are the names of people who died for your freedoms,'?" she added.
In addition to the names of service members killed in action, the monument also contains statues commemorating Clarence Sasser, a recipient of the Medal of Honor awarded by Congress, and the Gold Star Mothers - an organization for women who have had a son or daughter lost in service to the country.
On the opposite side of the walls from the names at the Ring of Honor are emblazoned the various emblems of the branches of the U.S. military.
Bryson Memorials of Angleton constructed the majority of the monument.
The dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and will include the Angleton High School Band, honor guards from local veteran groups and junior reserve officer training units from Alvin and Brazoswood and the sheriff's department.
Former Brazoria County resident Lt. Col. Steve Ruth, commandant of the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point, New York will deliver a speech.
A reception will follow the ceremony at the museum adjacent to the Ring of Honor.