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Scenes from the Memorial Dedication, June 15, 2019

We unveiled The Flame of Liberty Veterans Memorial on June 15, 2019 in the presence of about 1500 veterans and local citizens, state and government dignitaries, and Foundation members. To the left, you will find a trailer for the full program which is accessible on the homepage of our website:  www.honorAvet.org.  Below you will see some scenes as well.  We use the video below as a general solicitation video.

General H.R. McMaster, 26th National Security Advisor to the President, was our keynote speaker.  GEN McMaster left his National Security Advisor post in 2018 and is now with the Hoover Institute in Stanford, CA.  GEN McMaster's latest book Battlegrounds, The Fight to Defend the Free World, was released in 2020 and is a bestseller available through major booksellers and on sites such as Amazon. In the pages that follow, you will find a write-up on GEN McMaster's speech.

Also participating were the parents of local 9/11 heroes -Alice Hoagland - Mother to Mark Bingham, and David & Peggy Beamer - parents of Todd Beamer.  Their Sons attempted to regain cockpit control from terrorists aboard United Flight 93. Their actions saved the U.S. Capitol from annihilation and thousands of Washingtonians on the ground.

The COVID pandemic hit America's shores in 2020.  Our military was called into action. The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation expresses thanks with our GRATITUDE CAMPAIGN.  Please click on the arrow to start.  

Active Military, America's Veterans.  They're our brothers, sisters, neighbors.  They're right here in Silicon Valley.

Please click on the arrow in the frame above to review our special message.

Then, click on the arrow on the upper right to advance to the next page.

Ever think of what America would be like without their sacrifice Create history Build a legacy

MEMORIALS ARE NOT JUST BRICKS & MORTAR... 

THEY'RE OFTEN A CATALYST TOWARDS HEALING

Ever think of what America would be like without their sacrifice Create history Build a legacy

 WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU!

Meet portrait painter,      illustrator, public art 

 and Flame of Liberty      Memorial Artist Frank  Kocian Morris, also  Master Designer for the  U.S. Mint.

A MEMORIAL DEDICATION THAT INFORMS & INSPIRES

In the next few pages, you will learn about GEN H. R. McMaster's message to the audience and all Americans at the memorial dedication ceremony.    

June 15, 2019.

EDUCATING ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE WHO SERVE 

A second tenet of the Foundation's mission is to educate Americans on the contributions of those who serve.  The memorial site serves as an excellent venue to do just that with our local schools and adult community.

A Continued Focus on Improving Lives

  An Example

WARRIORS + CAMARADERIE + HUMOR

A RECIPE FOR IMPROVED EMOTIONAL HEALTH and SUICIDE PREVENTION

Ellen Manzo, Executive Board Member, Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation

On the early morning of August 21, 2021, over 120 plus active military service members, Reservists, and Veterans gathered in front of The Flame of Liberty Veterans Memorial at the Los Gatos Civic Center.  They came together with the simple intention of preventing Veterans' suicide. The Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike was underway, and The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation partnered with Irreverent Warriors to support the endeavor with local community veterans.  

Irreverent Warriors is a nonprofit with a mission to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide. The vision of Irreverent Warriors is to be the force that unites the Veteran community and drives a healthy culture within its members. Through creative engagements, events, and veteran-based solid support networks, their organization is a catalyst for improving veterans' outlook.   

Irreverent Warriors organizers kicked off the hike with a talk about why they were there, what Irreverent Warriors represent, and how the organization strives to foster strong connections with fellow Veterans. Following the kickoff, the hike stepped off, heading down the Los Gatos Creek trail. 

The element stayed together, with veterans of all ages, some in their silkies, others wearing military gear, and many carrying flags indicative of their service branches.  The hike made multiple stops along the way, including Vasona Park, Netflix, and Garret Station, where participants enjoyed lunch at the halfway point on their journey.   

There, Earl Granville, a veteran who lost his leg in Afghanization and suffered the loss of a brother and fellow Veteran from suicide, addressed the group on the importance of driving forward and learning not to carry all the weight on one's shoulders without asking for help.  And these comrades will continue to make each other laugh. One of the perks of the hike is coming together, meeting new people, making new friends, and finding a support system.  Following lunch, hikers headed back to The Flame of Liberty Memorial in downtown Los Gatos for the wrap-up. 

Medically retired Marine Capt. Donny O'Malley and Irreverent Warriors Founder, who launched the concern in 2015, is also the creator of Vet TV.  O'Malley spoke about the importance of making connections with other Veterans and not suffering alone.  He encouraged his audience attendees to reach out to other veterans. 

"The Irreverent Warriors event went off wonderfully and was beautifully executed," according to Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation Board Member Wayne Heimsoth.  

Veteran U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. David Boston organized the event.  David is a veteran warrior in his own right having served for eight years with multiple deployments to Iraq.  David is also a committee member of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation.  Sgt. Boston knows first-hand the critical value programs of this kind can deliver, having lost a sister and fellow Veteran to suicide.  According to Sgt. Boston, "It was an incredibly humbling experience to have led such an amazing event for Irreverent Warriors whose mission is dear to my heart. I know the event saved lives, and I am looking forward to doing it again."

Click on the link to learn more about us!

Ever think of what America would be like without their sacrifice Create history Build a legacy

 Visit our website - www.HonorAVet.org
You can make a difference in the lives of those who served.  Create history.  Be part of a legacy. Download a pledge form today and reserve your place upon our Wall of Gratitude.          Follow us on Facebook - www.Facebook/VeteransMemorialFoundation/

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 Second & Third Act:   Unveiling The Wall of  Gratitude, the 9/11 Wall and a tribute to the CA State Guard 

    The Flame of Liberty Memorial   was dedicated on June 15, 2019. 

  

    On September 11 2021, we        dedicated the Wall of Gratitude,  recognizing those who have       made significant contributions  towards our mission in support  of those who serve.  

    And on September 11, 2022, we dedicated our 9/11 Memorial in honor of two local heroes - Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer.  We also dedicated our memorial in honor of the California State Guard.

 Join the legacy.  Your name  would  look great on our Wall!