History of the Veterans Memorial Park
A glimpse of the effort put forth by many to make the Veterans Memorial a reality. Photos include Hank Hallmark bringing the anchor chain back from San Diego, Kevin Hetzel and Anderson crew pouring donated cement for base, Roy Montry, San Bernardino County Road Dept Supervisor and his crew hand build parking spaces, Lions members donate funds for flagpole, Herb Anderson going over plans for his wonderful contribution of the memorial's base, and how it all happened volunteers manning booths last summer raising money and interest in this project.
"I still find it hard to believe that my adopted hometown could produce such an outpouring of support for those who have served their nation in time of peace and war."
Carl Smith, Chairman of the Veteran's Memorial Committee, talking about his Wrightwood, a small mountain hamlet nestled at the 6000-foot elevation in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.
Like so many of Smith's generation, he served in the military, the Air Force in the mid 1960s. It was there he met Larry Boyes and Ron Gipson as they served as Air Policemen at March Air Force Base in Riverside California. Larry was from Creston Ohio, a small farming community. Ron was from South Gate in Southern California, and Carl was from Stonington Connecticut. Friends, they remained in Southern California after their service.
Larry Boyes and his family moved to Wrightwood 25 years ago, becoming an integral part of the community. Fourteen years ago Carl and his wife Janet joined Larry and his wife Belen, buying the Aldous Huxley home on Hwy 2. A tradition began Saturday mornings with what would be called, "Jeep Breakfast." A love of Jeeps and off-roading and a true sense of Patriotism grew the group to include regulars who enjoyed the friendships of the Evergreen Cafe.
Returning to Saturday breakfast after a cross-country trip. "Smitty" brought up the subject of a Veteran's Monument in Wrightwood. Smitty had seen so many memorials in small towns across America. The idea was discussed among the group for a few weeks. One of the group was Tom Pinard retired Navy Captain, founder of the weekly newspaper in Wrightwood and very well known and respected among the community. His knowledge of county government made him invaluable to the effort. Tom had thought about the same idea some forty years ago buit the times were not right then.
Many of the regular Cafe customers were Veterans and very supportive of the idea, and the Saturday gatherings and conversations were leading tot he first organized meeting. Smith placed a notice on WrightwoodCalif.com, the local web site, and the first meeting was Sunday. December 17, 2007 at the Blue Ridge In, to discuss the idea of establishing a Veteran's monument in the center of Wrightwood.
Nearly twenty enthusiastic people showed up for the meeting and strongly endorsed the idea. Many gave contributions that night in an effort to get the project up and running. A monument was discussed with the group deciding on a fitting size, an investigation took place before final decision and ordering a six foot by 32 inch by 8 inch black granite slab, with rough cut sides and top.
The group decided to set a goal of $25,000 and began raising funds. The Tri-Community Post 9415 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars agreed to assit by opening a tax deductible account to receive donations for the project. The result was overwhelming!
In June 2008. Brad Metzelfelt, a Desert Storm Marine veteran and First District Representative on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors used some of his discretionary funds to purchase a small piece of vacant land in the center of the village to be dedicated as the Wrightwood Veteran's Park.
The entire village became very actively involved in this effort. Virtually every merchant in the village began fund raising activities and projects to raise $25,000. The community rallied behind the project and in less than twelve months, the village of Wrightwood and the surrounding Tri-Communities met their goal to erect a Veteran's Monument in the center of the village in its own Park.
Te new Veterans Memorial Park fore the community on Evergreen Road will have paths leading to existing park facilities around the Community Building, have picnic tables and park benches, and a flagpole donated by the Timberline Lions Club proudly flying the American flag and POW/MIA flag.
"Wrightwood, Phelan, and Pinon Hills neighbors have rallied behind this effort to properly honor all Veterans past, present, and future." stated Carl Smith. "I am proud to be a part of this great community and the wonderful people who chose to live here."