Bingo proceeds earmarked for memorial

Proceeds from Saturday's bingo at the St. Martins VFW will help fund the Gold Star Families Memorial that will be placed at the state Capitol.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. Saturday; bingo starts at 4 p.m.

The 7-foot-tall, 12-foot-long monument is to be placed at the entrance of the new Bicentennial Bridge, adjacent to the Missouri Veterans Memorial on the north side of the Capitol.

A Gold Star Family has a family member who served in the military and died in the line of duty. The honor dates back to World War I, when families of service members displayed flags featuring a blue star for every member of the immediate family who was serving in the war. If one of the family members died, the star's color would be changed to gold.