A public fundraising campaign and groundbreaking ceremony for a veterans monument will launch today at Vinton's Fourth of July celebration.

The Vinton Roanoke County Veterans Monument Committee formed two years ago to honor all those who served the country from World War II to the present. The War Memorial Building in Vinton already honors World War II veterans killed in action, but committee members wanted to create another monument to celebrate all people who have served the country afterward.

The project is spearheaded by the Vinton Vision and Capital Campaign Committees. They will be reaching out to the public to help raise the $400,000 needed to construct the memorial and form an endowment foundation.

Assistant capital campaign director Candye Ann Peters said they have already raised more than half the money and she said she hopes to have the monument finished within a year. This Independence Day is a special one for Peters, who is celebrating not only the public launch of the monument but also the recent return of her son Nathaniel Hughes, 20, from a one-year tour in Iraq.

The proposed design for the monument is called "High Ground," which will include a star-shaped walkway leading to the monument. People will be able to purchase bricks on the walkway to honor a deceased veteran, member of the armed services or anyone they would like to recognize.

Several people, including Vinton's Mayor Brad Grose, will speak starting at 7:15 p.m. There will then be a groundbreaking ceremony and a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

The decision to launch the public campaign today was a logical one, Peters said.

"We wanted to do it on a day that means a lot," Peters said. "People are already in the mood to celebrate."

IF YOU GO

What: A groundbreaking ceremony and launch of a public fundraising campaign for a veterans monument

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Vinton War Memorial Grounds, 814 E. Washington Ave.