WELLS — The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the future site of the Area Veterans Memorial Park in Wells at 15 W. Franklin St.

More than two years ago area veterans saw a need for a memorial to honor the hundreds of veterans who have served the U.S. from the area. The Area Veterans Memorial Park is designed to honor all veterans, male and female, active and inactive, living or deceased from Alden, Bricelyn, Delavan, Easton, Freeborn, Kiester, Minnesota Lake, Walters and Wells.

The first phase of construction will start this fall. Memorial walls are to be erected before Veterans Day in November. There will be at least 686 veteran names, rank and branch and dates of service engraved on the granite wall. The walls will have space for an additional 338 names, and names have already been received to add next year. The centerpiece of the part will feature a 25-foot flag pole. The park will also include a gazebo, a fence running parallel with the railroad tracks, a special memorial to honor the veterans who have been killed in action and more.