Hartford — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday, April 22, to kick off the construction of the Connecticut State Veterans Memorial in Minuteman Park, across from the William A. O’Neill State Armory.

The memorial will be the first in the state to honor Connecticut men and women who have served in the military since the Revolutionary War era.

The memorial’s architectural designs by BL Companies, of Meriden, were announced at the event, as well as the fact that the project should be finished by the end of the year. It will feature a granite colonnade structure consisting of five columns to represent each branch of the service. The plans also include an honor wall and granite makers throughout the plaza to highlight various conflicts.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda S. Schwartz, Major Gen. Thaddeus J. Martin, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, other state and federal officials and veterans participated in the ceremony for the memorial that will honor the more than 1.3 million Connecticut residents who have served, and serve as a site for ceremonies that honor veterans.

For more information about the memorial, visit www.cthonorsvets.org or call 860-616-3603.