The first federally recognized monument to LGBT service members will be unveiled at a ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, on May 25.

Related: Obama Supports Lifting Ban On Trans Men And Women In The Military

Dedicated by the Chicago branch of American Veterans For Equal Rights (AVER), the monument will bear the inscription:

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people have served honorably and admirably in America's armed forces. In their memory and appreciation of their selfless service and sacrifice, this monument was dedicated by Chicago Chapter American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER)

Beneath the dedication will be the phrase "…with liberty and justice for all."

“I've waited for four long years to see this monument for LGBT veterans come to fruition, " says Stanley J. Jenczyk, who led the campaign for the monument for more than four years. "This ceremony will be a fulfillment of America's promise of honoring all who have served in every branch of the military."

It's the first recognition of the patriotism and service gay and lesbian service members have displayed, even as the Armed Forces forced them to hide.

Related: Meet Shane Ortega, The First Openly Trans Man Serving In The U.S. Military

"I never believed anything like this could've happened, because we've been discriminated against for so long in many areas of life including the military..." says AVER vice president James Darby, who predicted the dedication will be "an incredibly emotional experience for all of us."

Don't Ask Don't Tell was enacted in 1994 and eliminated in 2011. Prior to that policy, servicemembers found to be gay or lesbian could be court-martialed or even imprisoned.

Both the Obama Administration and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter have both indicated their support for a repeal of the current ban on openly trans people in the military. “All Americans who are qualified to serve should be able to serve," said  White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest