Next week marks 42 years since the tragic Beirut bombing, one of the deadliest terror attacks against American service members.

In Charlotte County, a memorial is taking shape to honor those lost, including local Marine Cpl. William R. Gaines Jr., who was just 21 years old and from Port Charlotte.

On a peninsula overlooking Charlotte Harbor, the first pieces of a promise have come to life. The Beirut Peacekeepers Memorial Tower will honor the 241 Americans killed in the suicide bombing on Oct. 23, 1983.

“We feel really good about the status of the Gaines Memorial Park,” said Stephen R. Deutsch, Charlotte County commissioner. “We’ve already completed the first responders Memorial. We’ve already completed the Veterans Memorial. We already have the playground up, up and running.”

Some residents who attended “WINK Listens” are still waiting for the main attraction: the observation tower.

“They poured a whole bunch of footings, put up flag poles, planted palm trees. But where is this 40 and 50 foot tower?” said Eugene Boyes, a participant at WINK Listens. “Why would you plant trees and put up flag poles before you got the tower built?”

The county explained that the project is moving forward in phases as part of a public-private partnership. The park is open for families to enjoy while fundraising continues for the tower.

“Part of the tower up near Tampa has already been prefabricated. Part of the tower is already done,” said Deutsch. “We have to raise probably $1,000,003 quarters, almost $2 million.”

With construction materials already waiting, county leaders say they are closer than ever to seeing the tower rise.

“My hope would be sometime next year, that we would be able to have the tower up and completed,” said Deutsch.

When complete, the tower will stand as a permanent reminder of the price of peace. The community is encouraged to participate in the Freedom 5K run starting at Gaines Park on Dec. 27. All proceeds will go to the memorial tower.

For those interested in attending the next “WINK Listens” event, it will be held in Lehigh Acres on Oct. 27 at the Quality Inn and Suites. The address is 1320 Business Way. Stop by between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to share any topics you want WINK News to investigate.