More than a dozen Gold Star families gathered at Stamford’s Veteran’s Memorial Park Sunday afternoon for the unveiling and dedication of the recently completed Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.

Patricia Parry, the mother of Navy SEAL Brian Bill has been organizing this event for nearly 18 months. Her son was killed in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. He was 31 years-old.

Since then, her mission has been making sure Veteran's Memorial Park will be a fixture in the city for all families. She credits the nonprofit Stamford Veterans Park Partnership. She’s also thankful for the hard work of historian Tony Pavia who helped bring the families together.

“In my memory, it's probably the largest gathering of Gold Star families. Probably haven't seen this since the end of World War I,” said Pavia.

“Anytime we can remember them and say their names, we’re doing something wonderful,” said Parry. “…We don't want this to be like a cemetery. We want things to happen here. That's what we've tried to do.”

Parry and Stamford Veterans Park Partnership say there is more work to be done in the park.