Western honor
The American Legion’s Memorial Database includes entries from all 50 states and several foreign countries. Here is a sampling of what California users have uploaded.
Veterans Wall of Freedom, Grand Terrace: “The Veterans Wall of Freedom is a monument that honors the service and sacrifice of veterans who gave us freedom and (reminds) us of the freedoms we enjoy every day because of these veterans. The monument consists of 6-foot block letters spelling the word Freedom. On the front of the letters are over 1,600 plaques available for veterans. Each plaque has the veteran's name, rank, branch and other related military information.”
Ernie's Place, Veterans Memorial Park, Vista: “Nearly 47 years since Marine Pvt. Ernie Pinamonti was killed in Vietnam by small arms fire, ‘Ernie's Place’ was finally dedicated. For five years, two of Ernie's six siblings, Mary Ann and Rico Pinamonti, have worked with the city of Vista … to create a park, donated to the city by the Pinamonti family, that honored not only their brother's heroism and sacrifice, but also that of many others who fought and died in the Vietnam War. The centerpiece of Veterans Memorial Park, built on a narrow 1-acre site at South Santa Fe Avenue near East Broadway … is a bronze statue of Ernie by a reflecting pond, reading a letter from home. The statue is surrounded by walls and walkways embedded with porcelain tiles that were engraved with dozens of letters from Vietnam written by Ernie and others.”
Monterey County Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Salinas: “Colored granite flag at the base of which contains the names of 78 county servicemembers who gave all.”
Civil War Memorial to the Unknown Dead, Woodland: “A stone statute, circa 1880, with the inscription "GAR In Memory of Our Unknown Dead 1861-1866.” At one time, this monument to the ‘unknowns’ was the location of Memorial Day ceremonies in Woodland …. Further, surrounding the monument are the grave markers of numerous Civil War veterans.”
Napa Vietnam Memorial, Napa: “Made of etched red marble,” and erected by local American Legion Post 113.