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Remembrance poppies will surround the "freedom tree" in the new Freedom Plaza to be constructed near the new Orem City Hall.

Courtesy Orem City

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Orem's Freedom Plaza is to be built between the new City Hall and library.

Courtesy city of Orem

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A Gold Star monument will be a focal point in Orem's planned Freedom Plaza.

Courtesy Orem City

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A "freedom tree" surrounded by poppies, at right, will be part of the new Freedom Plaza in Orem.

Courtesy Orem City

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As part of the new Orem City Hall being built on the northeast corner of State Street and Center Street, a new Freedom Plaza will be built connecting the municipal building to the library.

The plaza will contain a Gold Star monument honoring families of fallen service members, a “freedom tree” surrounded by poppies and a grand lawn with entrances on all sides, according Pete Wolfley, Orem city spokesperson. The grand lawn will be lined with rows of tress facing State Street.

The cost for the plaza and monument will be approximately $315,533.

“It has been such a privilege to assist with designing Orem’s Gold Star Families Monument. We’ve sought to create a place of honor, gratitude, remembrance, symbolism and peace, a place where individuals and families may gather,” said Orem Councilwoman LaNae Millett, who serves on the committee that oversaw the creation of the plaza.

“Many of the details I suggested came from my life-changing experience touring the incredible monuments on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. We hope Orem’s monument will have a similar impact. Our monument is to honor the strength of the living,” she added. “We surrounded the resolute granite with beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers, and with lighting that both reaches skyward and softly illuminates the granite and the grounds. We added a field of poppies to symbolize remembrance of those lost. Our Gold Star Families Monument will be a small way to honor the tremendous daily strength demonstrated by the children and families who, after such profound loss, muster the courage each day to continue forward. We honor you. We thank you. We support you.”

Councilman Jeff Lambson also serves on the committee and recognizes the thought put into the plaza.

“This wonderful monument will stand as a place of peace, recognition, gratitude and remembrance for our Gold Star families here in Orem and surrounding communities,” he said. “It has been an amazing experience to work with the city staff and design team as they have started with a blank canvas and have created what will be a masterpiece.”

Much thought has been put into everything that will be included at the plaza, Lambson said, noting the symbolism behind features like the stone work, plants, flowers and trees.

“This project is personal to me as my father’s family is a Gold Star family,” Lambson said. “He and his younger brother were both in the Air Force in World War II. Dad was fortunate to return home. His younger brother William did not return home.”

Residents who want to find out more, can visit https://orem.org/star.