A “world-class” monument honoring the collective sacrifice of all veterans was unveiled Saturday in Bourne by the Wareham group that spearheaded the effort.   

The new memorial is a granite obelisk topped by an eagle sculpture. “To all who served in defense of our nation” is engraved in stone.

It was dedicated in a ceremony held just outside the Massachusetts National Cemetery, where the monument is located. Local, state and federal dignitaries spoke at the event that drew a crowd of roughly 80 people.

“The national cemetery, along with this new monument at its entrance, is a world-class tribute to the men and women who served and still serve our country,” said Bob Powilatis of the Friends of the Wareham Veterans Council.

The idea for the monument started with Powilatis. He said he was inspired after several Wareham groups and individuals brought the Vietnam Moving Wall to town in August 2017. The Moving Wall is a scaled-down replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Friends of the Wareham Veterans Council took up the cause and enlisted the help of several organizations, including the Elks, Knights of Columbus, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The plan, Powilatis said, was to erect the monument before the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of World War I. In the U.S., that day, Nov. 11, is now celebrated as Veterans Day.

Powilatis credited State Rep. Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) for helping pave the way for the monument. Her efforts to connect the Friends with state transportation officials to secure permission were instrumental, said Powilatis.

Overall, more than $60,000 was raised at the local and national level to build the monument, known as the Hero’s Circle Monument. Also, the previously unnamed traffic rotary outside the cemetery is now officially “Hero’s Circle.”

During the ceremony, several officials spoke, including Gifford, Selectmen Chair Alan Slavin and State Rep. David Vieira (R-Falmouth).

Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services Francisco Urena, Massachusetts National Cemetery Director Richard Wallace and Captain Scott Langum of the U.S. Coast Guard also spoke.

U.S. Rep. William Keating said the monument was a fitting tribute.

“This monument will remind those coming to this sacred place that the sacrifice of their loved one was a shared sacrifice,” said Keating.