GRAFTON — A new memorial honoring U.S. veterans is set to open June 6, 2026, along the Mississippi River in Grafton, with a day of events marking the anniversary of D-Day and featuring the unveiling of a life-size bronze installation of Army Rangers scaling a bluff.
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The National Memorial of Military Ascent will debut with a morning dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. at 950 E. Main St., followed by an evening D-Day Celebration Dinner & Dance from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Loading Dock, according to event information provided by organizers. The memorial is located along limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and the Great River Road.
Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow said preparations are underway ahead of the opening.
“The statues are shipping here on the 11th or 12th of May, and we will begin putting them up that week,” Morrow said. “The national commander for the American Legion will be here on Sunday, May 10. It will be all hands on deck for the ribbon cutting and the big dinner on June 6.”
Organizers said the memorial draws inspiration from U.S. Army Rangers at Pointe du Hoc in Normandy. The centerpiece includes 12 life-sized sculptures, with six figures anchored into the bluff.
The idea for the memorial began in 2019, according to information provided by organizers, when Morrow visited the bluffs and connected them to the cliffs in Normandy he had recently seen.
“This is a place where we can tell those stories in a way that connects with people, especially younger generations,” Morrow said. “This project is about education, connection, and ensuring these stories are never lost.”
The morning program is expected to include guest speakers, posting of the colors, a ceremonial ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the bronze Ranger installation. Organizers said parking will be at Raging Rivers WaterPark, with a complimentary shuttle service provided.
The evening event will include a catered dinner by Andre’s Banquets & Catering, with live entertainment from Elsie Parker & The Poor People of Paris and The Michael Buerke Orchestra, organizers said.
Morrow said he is proud of the work on the memorial and is looking ahead to the opening night events.
“This is a legacy that will live on beyond our time here,” Brittany Weber said. “It speaks to who we are and the gratitude we carry for our veterans.”
For further information, contact Brittney Weber at: graftonmemorial@gmail.com or 618-535-8475.
