A new bronze Vietnam Veterans Memorial will soon stand at Veterans Park on Marco Island, thanks to a generous $600,000 donation from a local resident.
The monument, which began as an idea sketched on a napkin by American Legion Post 404 Commander Lee Rubenstein, will serve as a powerful tribute to those who served during the Vietnam War.
Rubenstein’s journey began in Europe, where he was stationed at the Berlin Wall from 1965 to 1968 as part of the military police. He was later ordered to deploy to Vietnam, but an accident stopped him from serving in the war.
“I thank God that he was watching over me,” Rubenstein said. “And from that point on, I dedicated myself to doing things to help veterans because I very well could have been sent over there and been one of the 58,000 plus that didn’t come home. So I’m very grateful."
Rubenstein was inspired to create a permanent memorial for Vietnam veterans after the traveling Vietnam Wall visited Marco Island in 2020. He had a vision for a larger-than-life tribute but knew it would cost big bucks.
That vision took a significant step forward this week when Rene Champagne, a well-known Marco Island resident, donated $600,000 to fund the project.
“He said, I’m going to give you the $600,000. And we were standing right about here, and I was lost for words. And, of course, I immediately thanked him and shook his hand. And I-needless to say, I was overwhelmed,” Rubenstein said.
The bronze monument will stand nearly 9 feet tall and have a base about 28 feet in diameter. It will depict six diverse veterans representing various nationalities, along with a canine symbolizing the contributions of service animals during the war.
Among the figures will be Prince, a loyal scout dog who served alongside Terry Kehoe, the vice commander of American Legion Post 404, during the Vietnam War.
Prince, who was sadly euthanized after his service, holds a special place in Kehoe's heart. “Every time I talk about him, it helps me get past that,” Kehoe said. “But to do this, it’s going to be so great in that all Vietnam veterans can come out and remember Vietnam veterans’ families.”
The memorial is slated to be unveiled on National Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29, 2026.
If you would like to donate, more information can be found on the American Legion Post 404 website .