Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Construction on the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. officially started last week.

The celebration and ceremony over the weekend included children's activities, a hands-on model of the memorial, a tour of the museum's traveling exhibition "Patriot Nations," and remarks from monument designer Marine Corps veteran Harvey Pratt.

Winning design for the National Native American Veterans Memorial announced

The memorial is the first of its kind. It will feature an elevated stainless steel circle that rests on a carved stone drum. It will be located on the National Mall between the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and the U.S. Capitol.

The vision for the memorial embodies a place for healing and spirituality but also celebrates valor, legacy, and culture. The "Warriors' Circle of Honor" will occasionally be lit with a flame at the base of the circle which encourages veterans, families, and others to "come around the campfire" and tell stories of their service.

The memorial is scheduled to open on November 2020.

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National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 1

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 2

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 3

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 4

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 5

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 6

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 7

National Native American Veterans Memorial groundbreaking ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian
Photo credit AP Images for Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Ground has officially broken on the National Native American Veterans Memorial 8