The DeKalb Veteran’s Memorial was developed and conceived in 2018 by Michael Embrey (ELKS member and USAF veteran) and was approved by the ELKS Board of Directors in 2021 to be built and created as a landmark destination for DeKalb, Illinois.

This Memorial was created to honor all six (6) branches of the military, with a total of nine (9) flags (US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, US Air Force, US Space Force, American Flags, POW/MIA, an ELKS Flag). The large brick patio in front of the flags will have inscribed bricks honoring veterans (current and past), active duty military, and ELK veterans.

The selection of the ELKS land for the memorial was to give visitors to DeKalb and Northern Illinois University arriving on Annie Glidden Road a grand welcoming and spectacular image of the creativity of the City of DeKalb, NIU, and the DeKalb Elks Lodge 765.