The monument honors people from the part of the town of Canaan that later became North Canaan who, with valor and patriotism, defended the flag of their country in the Colonial Wars, the War of the Revolution, and the War of 1812, though time has dimmed the record of their names while their deeds remain in everlasting remembrance. It also preserves the memory of the men of North Canaan who fought in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865 and records an honor roll of those from North Canaan who served in the World War from 1914 to 1918.