On Sept. 2, 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, the foundation of the Lakeway Spirit of Freedom Monument was dedicated. Just over two months later, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, the completed monument was unveiled to Lakeway residents.

The five-sided granite obelisk was inscribed on each side with the names of 485 local veterans who served during World War II and is representative of the five branches of the United States armed forces and the five years of World War II. The $50,000 required to build the original monument was raised from private donations from the community of Lakeway.

Included on the original memorial plaza were two granite-paneled walls that display the names of more than 400 Lakeway veterans who served during the Korean War and Vietnam War.

In 2007 and 2012, additional panels were added to honor those citizens who served during periods of armed conflict following the Vietnam War.

Today the monument is a display of nearly 1,000 names. Each veteran listed is now living or has lived as a resident of Lakeway, representative of approximately 8 percent of the city's overall population. Comparatively, about 1 percent of eligible U.S. citizens are serving in the military.

Seven Army and Army Air Corps veterans of World War II listed were captured by the enemy and were prisoners of war.

Former Lakeway resident Alan Shepard, a former Navy fighter pilot and astronaut, also has his name engraved on the World War II obelisk.

Eligible veterans include those who served honorably in the military during periods of armed conflict and at one time or another lived within the city limits of Lakeway or its extraterritorial jurisdiction. A tax-deductible donation is required to have a name engraved. Names are added to the monument annually, with a deadline for submission of Aug. 15 each year. The veteran is recognized at the annual Veterans Day ceremonies at the monument.

For more information contact the Lakeway Heritage Center at 512-608-9533 or [email protected].