I suggest that we put up American monument (5)
I believe the answer is:
stela
'monument' is the definition.
(I know that stela is a type of monument)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for stela that I've seen before include "Standing stone" , "Stone tablet" , "Upright stone slab" , "Ancient column" , "People having digs" .)