header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather
Santa Clarita CA
Mostly cloudy
Mostly cloudy
53°F
 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
June 5
1968 - Saugus resident Elizabeth Evans struck by bullet meant for Sen. Robert F. Kennedy [story]
Elizabeth Evans


| Wednesday, Aug 26, 2015
Loading...

[KHTS] – A Santa Clarita resident proposed the concept of a war memorial at the Veterans Historical Plaza in Newhall to the Santa Clarita City Council Tuesday evening.

The concept was proposed by Bill Reynolds, a Vietnam veteran, and would list all of the Santa Clarita Valley’s fallen soldiers on one memorial.

“We have various memorials around town in various places and I think we need one impressive war memorial,” said Reynolds. “I think, since there’s cities all over America that have impressive war memorials, it would be a fantastic addition to our Veterans Historical Plaza.”

The Veterans Historical Plaza contains hundreds of engraved bricks honoring individuals who served in the military.

Vietnam veteran Bill Reynolds (left) with fellow Charlie Company veteran Jack Benedick at Veterans Historical Plaza in Newhall. Photo: Lou Reda Productions.

Vietnam veteran Bill Reynolds (left) with fellow Charlie Company veteran Jack Benedick at Veterans Historical Plaza in Newhall. Photo: Lou Reda Productions.

“I believe Santa Clarita needs this (memorial), I think we are late in the game to having this,” said Stephen Daniels, a Valencia resident. “There’s countless towns in cities across the United States that tributes to their fallen locals. We need to do the same.”

The memorial would be in the shape of a “V” in granite; the “V” standing for valor.

Each of the Santa Clarita’s fallen would have their names engraved on the memorial, with their ages and the date of their death, according to Reynolds.

“Santa Clarita has paid a heavy price for freedom,” said Reynolds. “We’ve lost approximately 50 soldiers, and I use that generically, and all of them are from the Santa Clarita Valley. The valley is a vast area and we’ve had a lot of people serve in the military here.”

To date, 20 Santa Clarita residents lost their lives in World War II, five in the Korean War, 14 in the Vietnam War and 12 in the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the virtual war memorial, SantaClaritaWarMemorial.com.

The Santa Clarita City Council spoke in favor of future discussion on the concept.

“(The memorial) is self-serving for my family, but we’d certainly love to honor all of our veterans any way we can,” said Councilman Dante Acosta. “We really don’t have one place specifically for those from Santa Clarita. We have something up at Eternal Valley, which is wonderful, but there’s a lot of people that, frankly, haven’t lived in this community that are on that. Maybe we move in that direction, but that’s something we can talk about.”

Acosta’s oldest son, Army Spec. Rudy Acosta, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2011.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Kellar “absolutely” supported the concept and doesn’t anticipate there will be a lot of push-back.

“I think it is something we can move forward with,” said Kellar. “Costs are always a concern no matter what the issue, this is one where I am satisfied. I don’t think the city should put in one nickel into the cost of (the memorial). I know, as a business owner, I could not be more anxious to putting a few dollars towards this. I dare say, there will be no issue having to do with getting the finances necessary for this memorial.”

The rough estimate for the cost for the project is in the thousands of dollars, according to Reynolds.

“The last thing we should be worried about is cost, when these fallen heroes have already paid the ultimate price,” said Daniels. “Is it really possible to give too much honor to any of our veterans, especially to those who have lost their lives.”

Kellar also thought that the parks commission and the arts commission should have input, “I know this community is going to come up with a great memorial.”

Councilman TimBen Boydston thought the memorial “is a good idea.”

“I think there needs to be a big process involving everyone, so at the end, everyone says ‘that’s all ours,’” said Boydston.

Councilwoman Laurene Weste was “fine with having a discussion about veterans and how we can do more for them.”

The SCV Veterans Memorial Committee, which organizes the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, formally endorsed Reynolds’ war memorial concept when it met Wednesday evening, Reynolds said.

 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


LATEST CITY HEADLINES
Monday, Jun 5, 2023
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office released the nine productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, June 5 - Sunday, June 11.
Friday, Jun 2, 2023
The Santa Clarita Arts Commission will meet on Thursday, June 8 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd. First Floor,  Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Friday, Jun 2, 2023
The Santa Clarita Library's annual Summer Reading challenge will kick off on June 12. The event, sponsored by Friends of the Santa Clarita Public Library, will boast the theme "Find Your Voice!"
Friday, Jun 2, 2023
The city of Santa Clarita Planning Commission will meet June 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd. First Floor, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Friday, Jun 2, 2023
The city of Santa Clarita is seeking artwork for an upcoming exhibit located in the First Floor Gallery of City Hall. This art exhibition is seeking artwork depicting the theme of "Pop Culture."

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Halfway to Home is hosting a special adoption event on Saturday, July 22, with @zoomroom_santaclarita from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Halfway to Home Hosting SCV Dog Rescue Adoption, Fundraising Event
The Santa Clarita Water Agency recently released its newest sustainable landscape resource, Garden Smarter.
SCV Water Launches Sustainable Landscape Resource
The California Department of Transportation has scheduled full freeway closures on the northbound and southbound State Rout 14 / Antelope Valley Freeway between Technology Drive in Palmdale and Avenue A in Lancaster.
Caltrans Announces SR-14 Full Closures
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board will take place Tuesday, June 6, beginning with closed session at 5:30 p.m., followed immediately by open session at 6:30 p.m.
June 6: SUSD Regular Meeting
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office released the nine productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, June 5 - Sunday, June 11.
Nine Productions Currently Filming in Santa Clarita
Last weekend marked the Fifth District's 25th annual Tribute to Veterans and Military Families, featuring the theme "A Family Tradition."
Keeping Up With Kathryn Barger | Tribute to Veterans
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit L.A. County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters.
Ocean Water Advisory Issued for L.A. County Beaches
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit investigators are asking for the public’s help locating Christy Lee Anderson.
Public’s Help Needed in Locating Missing Valencia Woman
On Saturday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department celebrated 78 young men and women who completed a 14-week “Scouts of America - Learning for life,” Certified Sheriff’s Explorer Academy at S.T.A.R.S. Center in Whittier.
LASD Celebrates Explorer Academy Graduates
Shelter Animals Count, the most trusted and current source for animal sheltering data, spotlights a trend in dog euthanasia from the newly-released Intake and Outcome Data Analysis report for Q1 2023.
Study Shows Rise in Shelter Dog Admissions
1968 - Saugus resident Elizabeth Evans struck by bullet meant for Sen. Robert F. Kennedy [story]
Elizabeth Evans
1925 - Newhall Constable Jack Pilcher killed in the line of duty in handgun accident [story]
Jack Pilcher
1855 - Ship leaves New York harbor bound for Tunis to acquire animals for the United States Camel Corps [story]
Camel Corps
The Santa Clarita Arts Commission will meet on Thursday, June 8 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd. First Floor,  Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
June 8: Arts Commission Meets to Review Master Plan, Public Art
Raising the Curtain Foundation, through their Grand Ovation program, honored Jim Sudik and Paco Vela on Thursday, June 1 by naming the dressing rooms at the Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts after the duo.
Sudik, Vela Honored by Raising the Curtain Foundation
The Santa Clarita Library's annual Summer Reading challenge will kick off on June 12. The event, sponsored by Friends of the Santa Clarita Public Library, will boast the theme "Find Your Voice!"
June 12: Summer Reading Program Kicks Off
Join instructor Katie Pinto at Bouquet Canyon Park on Tuesday, June 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a fun and interactive Hula Hoop class for adults and seniors.
June 20: Hula Hoop Yoga at Bouquet Canyon Park
The city of Santa Clarita Planning Commission will meet June 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 23920 Valencia Blvd. First Floor, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
June 6: Planning Commission Hearings on Soccer Field, Warehouse
City Cinemas in the Park will screen the film "The Little Rascals" on June 23 at 8:30 p.m. The film will be shown in Newhall Park, 24923 Newhall Ave., Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
June 23: ‘The Little Rascals’ Film at Newhall Park
The city of Santa Clarita is seeking artwork for an upcoming exhibit located in the First Floor Gallery of City Hall. This art exhibition is seeking artwork depicting the theme of "Pop Culture."
Call for Artists for Theme of Pop Culture
By now you have no doubt heard about the waste hauler transition coming to the city of Santa Clarita. Beginning July 1, all residents in our city will begin the process of switching over to Burrtec Waste Industries for their trash service.
Ken Striplin | Let’s Talk Trash!
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) successfully passed eight bills off the Assembly Floor, bringing her total number of bills now in the Senate to 11. Notably, more than half of her bills received bipartisan support.
Schiavo’s 11 Bills Advance Off Assembly Floor, Head to Senate
In collaboration with the Saugus Unified School District, the city of Santa Clarita is excited to announce playground construction plans for Northbridge Park. The project aims to provide recreational space for Charles Helmers Elementary School students and the surrounding Northbridge community. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
Northbridge Park Playground Enhancements
1945 - Local residents vote 432-2 to approve $300,000 bond measure to build SCV's first high school [story]
Hart High
SCVNews.com
%d bloggers like this: