Gilroy
– A group of local veterans is seeking community support to help
build a monument at Christmas Hill Park.
The monument, slated for the southwest area of the ranch site at
the park, will be in a small, half-moon shaped area.
Gilroy – A group of local veterans is seeking community support to help build a monument at Christmas Hill Park.
The monument, slated for the southwest area of the ranch site at the park, will be in a small, half-moon shaped area. Six plaques commemorating the six military services – the U.S. Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines – will surround a roughly 3-foot-by-4-foot granite monument rock. The California state flag and the POW flag will sit on either side of a larger American flag.
Leading up to the monument will be a collection of 4-inch-by-8-inch brick pavers that are laser-inscribed with the names of veterans and service men and women killed in action.
For about a year, a five-member committee of members of local VFW and American Legion members have been selling the bricks to help fund the $84,000 monument, said project manager Wayne Cegelske. The bricks cost $200 each and have a lifetime guarantee. About two dozen have been sold so far, Cegelske said.
Altogether, the group has raised about $75,000 since they began fundraising about 3 1/2 years ago – mostly donations from the South Santa Clara War Memorial District’s building committee and the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Affairs and American Legion’s general fund, with additional donations from various local organizations.
The committee is hoping the remaining $9,000 will come from the community, the city and private businesses.
The reason for the monument, said committee member Joe V. Gonzales, is simple.
“We want to pay tribute to the past, present and future men and women of Gilroy and South County serving the country,” he said, echoing the words of the dedication that also will be inscribed as part of the monument.
The committee has been working on plans for the monument for about seven years, Cegelske said. Since then, members have been raising money and working with the city to find a viable location. The city’s donation of the land at Christmas Hill Park was finalized about a year ago.
The monument’s groundbreaking ceremony took place on Veterans Day, although it was forced inside because of rainy weather. Gonzales and Bob Diaz, another committee member, said once the funds are in place, construction will begin.
“As soon as we get the money in, that’s it, we’ll get started,” Diaz said. “We’re asking the city and businesses in this town to support us.”
Besides the money, the committee also is waiting for the architect’s plans to come back. Once the money is raised, the project will go out to bid.
“A lot of people in Gilroy can vouch that we’ve helped the community in so many ways,” Gonzales said. “I don’t think we’ve ever denied a donation to any solicitations.”
John Ahnder, funeral director for Habing Family Funeral Home, commended VFW members for the services they provide at military funerals, such as the 21-Gun Salute and taps. A monument would be welcome in the community, he said.
“Whenever we work with them, they’re absolutely great. They always do a good job,” he said. “They arrange everything for us and always come through.”
Although the city designated Las Animas Veterans Park as a veterans park about three years ago, Gonzales, a member of the State Homeless Veterans Committee, said he and many other veterans want to see a bonafide monument.
“I’ve traveled all over the United States and seen so many different places. Every place I’ve been to has a monument for veterans. This town doesn’t,” he said. “There’s nothing like that here in Gilroy, and that’s something we’d really like to see.”
