Monument honoring Gold Star families planned for Keizer Station park

A Gold Star families memorial monument is being planned in Keizer at PFC Ryan J. Hill Memorial Park at Keizer Station to honor the relatives of those who lost an immediate family member while on active duty military service.

The Keizer City Council, on Oct. 7, gave unanimous approval for the monument. The 16-foot by 7-foot, four-section, monument will be constructed of polished granite.

The Woody Williams Foundation, a nonprofit that facilitates implementation of Gold Start family memorial monuments, has overseen the construction of 140 throughout the country.

“It’s not dedicated to an individual,” said Tim Berry, co-chair of the foundation’s chapter in Keizer. “It is a gift to Gold Star families as an acknowledgment of their loss.”

Berry, and other co-chair, Shawna Fenison, are Gold Star family members related to Ryan J. Hill. Fenison is Hill’s mother, and Berry is his cousin.

Army PFC, Ryan Hill, was 20 when he died in action in Iraq on Jan. 20, 2007, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad. He was apart of the “Blue Spaders,” Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment.

The memorial park was dedicated in 2013. A stretch of Intestate 5 was designated to him in 2019.

“Keizer is often known for being supportive of the military, police (and) public safety personnel,” said Adam Brown, city manager for Keizer.

Berry, who has attended several Woody Williams Foundation memorial unveilings, said the chapter hopes to have the monument constructed and unveiled by the next Gold Star Family Day, Sept. 29, 2025.

“The current plan is to remove a non-functional fountain and a tree that’s causing structural damage to the park, and put the memorial in that location,” said Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark.

The city will keep up with maintenance after the monument is built, says Brown.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Keizer to help lead the way in honoring and lifting up Gold Star families,” Clark says. “Understanding the sacrifice of families is something that is near and dear to the hearts of the people of Keizer.”

The estimated cost of the monument is from $150,000-$180,000. The Keizer chapter is still in the “infancy” stages, looking into fundraising opportunities and community support.