The Veterans memorial pillar stands in the Trail Winds Parks and Open Space to the north of the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.

A sculpture of an eagle sits on top of the memorial pillar.

The pillar lists five Thornton residents who died in the Vietnam war:
- Bruce Allen Bowman
- Larry James Branaugh
- John Wayne Simmons
- Frederick Anthony Vigil
- Louis Arthur Yugel

one Thornton resident who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Thomas Jonathan Slocum

and two Thornton residents who died in Afghanistan/Enduring Freedom
- Larry Donell Harris Jr.
- Jacob H. Wykstra

Engravings on the pillar read:
"Lest we forget"

“It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
― Charles M Province"

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
- Laurence Binyon"

"Grant rest, O Lord, to those no longer with us;
Who died protecting us and this their land.
Bring healing, Lord, to those who, through their service,
Bear conflict's scars on body or in mind.
With those who mourn support and comfort share.
Give strength to those who for hurt loved-ones care.
-Charles Henrywood"

This information is included in Artwork Archive as a courtesy to anyone who might be curious about the memorial. This piece is a memorial, not public art, and did not go through the public art process.