By GINNY COOPER/ Staff writer

MONTEVALLO—The American Village is inviting the public to the dedication the National Veterans Shrine building on Monday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.

The National Veterans Shrine is patterned after Philadelphia’s Carpenter’s Hall and will feature sculptures and paintings by nationally renowned artists.

The shrine will also include computer kiosks with interactive exhibits featuring mini movies and biographical facts on all veterans in the Register of Honor, a website that enables veterans, family and friends to register biographical sketches of American’s veterans.

“Whatever you uploaded to the register of honor we hook up to videos we’ve made ourselves,” Melanie Poole, director of Marketing and Communications for the institution, said. “It’s a salute to the individual.”

The ceremony will also honor of George Washington’s birthday, and cake will be available following the dedication. The event will feature music from the University of Montevallo wind ensemble and choir.

In addition, the institution has gathered soil and water samples from battlefields all over the world, which will be enshrined beneath the Statue of Liberty at the American Village.

The University of Alabama army and air force ROTC cadets will assist in the enshrining of the soil.

“The will be a great teaching tool for the American Village. A real reminder that freedom is not free,” Poole said.

After the ceremony, guests are invited to take a tour of the facilities and enjoy an open house.

This event is free and open to the public. To create a free account and register a veteran, visit Veteransregisterofhonor.com.