A local memorial to Galesburg residents who have served their country has grown since it was first dedicated one year ago.

A Memorial Day ceremony was held Monday morning at Lincoln Park, the site of a veterans memorial, and at that ceremony, Galesburg Mayor Gary Smith issued a proclamation marking Monday as "Veterans Memorial Day" in the city.

In issuing the proclamation, Smith said those who want to honor loved ones who've served in any of the branches of the service need to be commended for how special the site has become.  "Whereas, there has been tremendous growth in the number of memorial bricks," Smith read from the proclamation.  "There are now over 1,400 bricks honoring veterans.  One year ago, the number was 425."

And one of those responsible for coming up with the veterans memorial, Sixth Ward Alderman Wayne Allen, says if it wasn't for Boy Scout Kyle Miller doing an Eagle Scout project, you may not know what bricks are where.  "As we put all the bricks in place, people would call and say 'I can't find my brick.  Can you help me find it?'" Allen said.  "So this young man was looking for something to get his Eagle Scout points for, and he came out here and alphabetically put all these names in place."

All the names of all local veterans were read at the site of the veterans memorial, before a separate parade and memorial service were held in downtown Galesburg honoring the nearly 200 veterans who have passed away in the last year.