The sculpture, which was designed and built by artist James T. Russell, sits on the grounds of the Cerritos Civic Center.
The memorial contains a 20-foot-high (6.1 m) stainless steel sculpture in the shape of a flame atop a reflecting pool.
The memorial serves as a focal point for the various official city ceremonies which have a patriotic theme.
[n 1] Starting in 2007, the city also moved its Let Freedom Ring ceremony to celebrate the Fourth of July to the grounds around the Cerritos Veterans Memorial,[n 2] and in 2010 the city held its Patriot Day concert in that venue.
[1] During the November 22, 2005, Cerritos City Council meeting, a controversy erupted as to whether there should be a sixth pedestal around the pool with the emblem of the Merchant Marine.