Navy SEAL monument boasts statue, sands from faraway beaches

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The Associated Press

080314-N-3404S-115 Pentagon, Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2008) – Actual Medal of Honor prepared for presentation posthumously to Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor who sacrificed himself to save his teammates during combat operations in Iraq, Sept. 29, 2006. Medal is pictured with the Navy Special Warfare (SEAL) Trident. The parents of Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor will accept the nation’s highest military honor on behalf of their son during a White House ceremony April 8, 2008. Monsoor is the first Navy SEAL to earn the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq and the second Navy SEAL to receive the award since Sept. 11, 2001. Monsoor is the fifth armed forces service member to receive the Medal of Honor since the beginning of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Oscar Sosa (Released)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Navy SEAL organization is building a monument on Virginia Beach’s boardwalk to honor the special military force.

The Virginian-Pilot reports that it will include a new statue of a WWII Navy combat swimmer. There also will be sand from places the SEALs have fought or trained, including Vietnam, France and Hawaii.

The monument honors the origins of the Navy SEALs in Virginia Beach, which date back 75 years.

Capt. Rick Woolard, a retired Navy SEAL, said he expects construction to begin in about two weeks. He hopes it will be dedicated on May 29, which is Memorial Day.

The project will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and will be funded through donations. And the city will pay for a lighted, inclined walk next to the monument.

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