COMMUNITY INTEREST A Dedication Gives Spark to a World-Class Memorial The Flame of Liberty By Ellen Manzo WWII veterans, first responders, men and The Foundation's capital campaign seeks "The eternal flame represents honor and women in uniform, dignitaries, military to raise $2.6M to support the construction, remembrance," said Morris, "And it's an vehicles, the 191st and 300th Army bands, memorial maintenance, and fund support elegant form, so I created the flame, and I girl and boy scouts, a Marine Corps color for the needs of veterans. To date, the put the Soldiers Cross inside it much like a guard, performers, members of the American team has raised about half of the required Faberge egg." Morris said, "The flame's glass Legion, doves of peace, and more than 1300 funding and continues to seek the financial is like a veil between the past and the living. patriotic visitors flocked to the Los Gatos help of donors. The Soldiers Cross reminds us of the fact that Civic Center lawn on June 15th. Something freedom is not free, and in some cases, that exciting and suspenseful was about to The Flame of Liberty Memorial dedication service results in the last act of devotion." happen. The Flame of Liberty Memorial was unveiled four individual monuments at about to be unveiled, a celebration that was the memorial site. The focal point of the Los Gatos resident Secretary Francis J. a significant event for Silicon Valley and one memorial, an eternal flame and the Wall of Harvey historically quantified those who that represented the capstone of a seven- Honor, which contains insignia plaques for have served in the United States military year journey for the organization behind the each of the U.S. military branches, honors and cited the 37 countries around the globe initiative – the Veterans Memorial & Support those who served in America's military. whose citizens live in peace and freedom Foundation. The Flame of Liberty memorial Internal to the eternal flame sits a bronze as a result of our veterans and those of our honors U.S. military service members, first Soldier's Cross which reminds viewers that allies. "Today, there are approximately 25 responders and two local 9/11 heroes who the sacrifices of a few deliver the liberty million veterans. Since the beginning of were "Killed In Action" attempting to take enjoyed by many. Foundation President the Republic, over 42 million Americans over cockpit control from the terrorists who Major General Kent Hillhouse, Artist Frank have served in the United States military. hijacked United Airlines flight 93. Kocian Morris, The Honorable Francis Approximately one million have been Harvey, 19th Secretary of the U.S. Army, killed and another one-and-a-half million The Town Council of Los Gatos provided Mayor Stephen Leonardis, and Devcon's wounded. And today, we live in peace and the final go-ahead on building plans to Clint Magill performed the honors to unveil freedom because of the selfless service of the Foundation in December 2018. The The Flame of Liberty Memorial focal point these veterans, which extends not only to Foundation wasted no time in constructing as audience members listened to vocalist our country but also to the rest of the world." the memorial in less than six months 11-time Grammy award recipient Tony thanks to the dedication and assistance of Lindsay sing God Bless America. Mayor Stephen Leonardis commented on Devcon Construction who signed up to the essence of the message delivered by support the endeavor as the Foundation's The torch was Frank Kocian The Flame of Liberty Memorial. "We are general contractor. Morris' inspiration for The Flame of Liberty. gathered here today in freedom to celebrate the continued success of the American experience envisioned by our founders which continues in great peace and prosperity made possible by the infinite sacrifices of those who serve and continue to serve in honor," said Leonardis. The Mayor cited the interpretive virtues the memorial represents and pointed out that "There is no way to quantify our enduring gift of liberty" and the fact that "The service of our veterans and first responders can never be taken for granted."

"This is sacred ground," remarked Congresswoman Anna Eshoo at the event's ceremony. "This is a recognition of generations that have secured our freedoms and our liberty as citizens of the United States. So many gave their very lives. So many were so young. The American flag is a symbol of our great nation and the Constitution that guarantees all these rights that they fought for, which creates the soul of our nation."

12 LOS GATOS Living | AUGUST 2019 Also honoring those who serve from the U.S. military is a POW – KIA bronze plaque atop a boulder commemorating those who were Prisoners of War or Killed in Action, funded through the Los Gatos Lions.

The first responder fire bell cast in the 1800s recognizes contributions of first responders at the memorial site. The bell, once located at Civic Center in the early 1900s, was used to summon firefighters to the scene of a fire. Santa Clara County Supervisors Mike Wasserman and Dave Cortese recognized the value first responders bring to the table for the community. Who better to unveil the bell than those who deal with issues requiring our first responders daily - Santa Congresswoman Eshoo thanked the directly responsible for saving thousands Clara County Fire Department Fire Chief parents of our 9/11 heroes for the fact that of Washingtonian lives, including that of Tony Bowden and Los Gatos- Monte Sereno she too, would have been a statistic that Anna Eshoo. The sentiments from our 9/11 Police Chief Pete Decena. Foundation Board day for she was in the Capitol Building on parents came full circle when our audience Member and two-time Mayor for Los Gatos 9/11. Congresswoman Eshoo presented heard from General McMaster about how John Lochner was instrumental in returning certificates of Congressional Recognition America's military members are both the bell to the Civic Center. John rang the to the 9/11 parents and the memorial artist warriors and humanitarians and provided bell's inaugural chimes celebrating the fire and presented a flag that flew over the an example from the War in Iraq; a war bell's return to its home. Capitol Building to General Hillhouse in ignited by 9/11. McMaster closed with the recognition for his leadership. Also honoring reading of an emotional letter of gratitude A 9/11 memorial element commemorates General Hillhouse at the Dedication from the Iraqi Mayor of Tall' Afar who the heroic acts of United Airlines flight ceremony was Assemblymember Evan cited the chilling account of what life was 93 passengers Todd Beamer and Mark Low who distinguished the General like in a terrorist-occupied town. Both the Bingham. Audience members experienced with the praiseworthy commendation Mayor and the Tall' Afar residents were a "lump in the throat" kind of moment as of having been selected as Veteran of the the two parents of 9/11 heroes – Alice Year for his contributions to our country eternally grateful to America's military Beamer, Mother to Mark Bingham and past and present. members and their families for returning David Beamer, Father of Todd Beamer, peace and stability to their homeland. Keynote speaker Lieutenant General H. arrived at the podium and spoke about Tall'Afar is a perfect example of America's R. McMaster, U.S. Army Retired and 26th the events aboard United Flight 93 on that warriors safeguarding humanity, or, National Security Advisor to the President tragic day. better stated, America's warriors serving of the United States solidified the vital as humanitarians. Alice Hoagland pointed out that Todd role played by America's military. Equally Beamer and Mark Bingham "Did not important, he emphasized, was bridging In his closing statement, General Hillhouse realize then all that we know now - that the connection between Americans service convincingly explained that a great deal they were fighting for the lives of those on men and women and demonstrating an of healing takes place at memorials of Capitol Hill who stood to be obliterated appreciation for the sacrifices necessary this kind, something it appears that he to secure our nation against determined in a flash of fire and steel." David Beamer knows first hand. "I knew that we needed and capable enemies which this memorial remarked that neither Todd nor Mark one of these in our town," said Hillhouse. and the Foundation behind it serve to do. were trained members of America's "Not only for the healing aspects of the The lack of that connection contributes military. "But on that morning, in that memorial but also to remember the fallen. to reduced national security, according circumstance, they became soldiers. They Additionally, those in the military today to McMaster. Second, McMaster spoke became some of the first to respond. about the criticality of fostering an deserve a memorial. The Flame of Liberty They and others did the right thing at the understanding within America about the is a world-class memorial created by a right time. They launched and engaged roles our service men and women fulfill as world-class artist. The Foundation and I the enemy. They launched a successful warriors and humanitarians. are pleased to have been able to put this counterattack. They were not victims. together to serve the community." They were Killed In Action. They did The speeches were powerful. The parents the right thing. I am so pleased that the of 9/11 heroes portrayed how their sons You are invited to witness the June 15th citizens of Los Gatos have decided to woke up on a September day in 2001 and memorial dedication at https://www. include honoring these citizen soldiers in unexpectedly were called upon to become kcat.org/community-events or www. this memorial." citizen soldiers. Their actions were honorAvet.org.

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