With the ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan the number of soldiers who have given their life to the fight for freedom is constantly growing.

In the upcoming months, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores residents will be given the opportunity to show their appreciation.

Starting Oct. 4, and running through December on the first Saturday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m., the community can take part in a local fundraiser geared toward building a memorial for these fallen soldiers.

The Cruise-In benefit, to be held at the Pinnacle at Craft Farms, will offer patrons live music, shopping, dinning and, of course, cool cars.

“I knew that the area would love to participate in something like this,” Shannon Goode, organizer of the event, said.

She promises a jam packed night with a 21 gun salute, a POW and MIA ceremony and Adam Holt performing.

Daredevil driver Bubba Blackwell will be on site for autographs and pictures before his 52 car jump in Loxley.

Mayor-elect Robert Craft will also make an appearance as the special guest speaker.

More than 70 cars will be on display, from race cars to a brand new Saleen Mustang.

Also available that night will be concert tickets for the Nov. 2 benefit to be held at the battleship park. The concert will feature MCA recording star Ashton Shepherd and will be the main event for the effort to raise funds.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the Fallen Heroes Memorial, planned to be constructed at the Battleship U.S.S. Alabama Memorial Park.

Former Marine Infantry Officer Nathan Cox has spearheaded the memorial and said that to date they have raised $54,000.

That leaves just more than $70,000 needed to fund the project.

This memorial will be the only one in Alabama to honor the perished soldiers from the War on Terror.

Being a Marine, Cox said that the memorial is special to him and would be to all military who have served or to the families of those who never returned.

“I know the impact it has on families to have someone say ‘Thank you’,” he said.

Admission to Cruise-In is free, but donations are appreciated.