The Howard County Veterans Foundation was officially established as a nonprofit in 2016 to honor the men, women and families who have served our nation. Since then, we have made incredible progress in recognizing the profound impact of service and sacrifice on our community. Learn more about our history.
- The Howard County Commission for Veterans & Military Families starts investigating the feasibility of constructing a Veterans Monument in Howard County.
- The Veterans Commission Monument Committee is formed.
- The first Howard County Veterans Day Parade is held.
- The Howard County Veterans Foundation, Inc., is founded and becomes the lead sponsor of the monument project.
- The foundation finalizes agreements with the Howard County Government, the Howard Hughes Corporation and the Columbia Association for the monument to be included as part of the Columbia Downtown Master Plan “Neighborhood Square” at the Columbia Lakefront.
- The site is dedicated in June.
- The foundation commissions renowned artist Larry Kirkland to design the monument.
- Howard County Executive Calvin Ball formally names the new park in honor of longtime Columbia resident and WWII Veteran Ms. Vivian “Millie” Corbett Bailey.
- Groundbreaking on Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park and the future site of the Veterans monument takes place in July.
- The artist concept for the monument is developed and adopted by the foundation.
- The foundation is awarded $350,000 from the State of Maryland for the monument design and construction.
- Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey Park opens in October.
- The foundation is awarded an additional $650,000 from the State of Maryland, bringing the total public commitment to $1 million.
- Larry Kirkland and the foundation publicly release the monument design and launch the capital campaign.
- The foundation is awarded an additional $500,000 from the State of Maryland, bringing the total public commitment to $1.5 million.
