The Marietta Kiwanis Club has embarked on a project – “Forever Remember” -- to honor their devotion and their spirit. The statue will be erected overlooking Roswell Street in a new city park near the Marietta National Cemetery.

The monument depicts a young woman, anxious but proud, embracing a folded Stars and Stripes. She represents no particular era or person or event. Rather, she is meant as a reminder of past and present sacrifice on behalf of our freedoms and liberties; and as the embodiment of the words of poet John Milton: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

Marietta has always been a community that understands that patriotic sacrifice is not limited to those who serve “Over There,” but those left behind. Those who selflessly relinquish days, years – and sometimes, much more – with their loved ones, all on behalf of the country’s greater need.

Even a century and a half ago when brother fought brother and blood was spilled all across the Cobb County landscape, the support of those on what later generations would call the “Home Front” was heartfelt. That is no less true today, when thousands of men and women from our community have put themselves in harm’s way around the globe on our behalf; while their parents, spouses, children, siblings and friends wait … and pray.

Site location of the proposed park to proudly display the Forever Remember statue.

The future home of the Forever Remember monument to honor and recognize the families and loved one of the men and women who give of themselves every day to protect, serve, support and defend our freedom at home and abroad.