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Dedication Ceremony of the
Vietnam Memorial
Rose Garden
Alta Loma High School Alumni Association November
12, 1990 Alta Loma High School Rancho
Cucamonga, California |
CHS - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pages
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| "This Memorial is dedicated to the memory of
the Alta Loma High School Braves Who gave their lives in the Vietnam War and Honors all men and women who served during that war." |
| The Vietnam War was the longest war in which the United
States took part. It began in 1957 and ended in 1975. The United States spent
over $150 billion on the Vietnam War; 58,000 Americans were killed; 365,000
Americans were wounded; 2,700,000 men and women fought in the Vietnam War. After
World Wars I and II, the country welcomed the returning veterans as heroes. But
many of the Americans who opposed the U.S role in Vietnam criticized or ignored
the veterans. These reactions shocked the veterans. Many of them felt that the
nation neither recognized nor appreciated their sacrifices…. |
VIETNAM
MEMORIAL ROSE GARDEN
in front of Alta Loma High School
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| Most veterans adjusted smoothly to civilian life. But the war left others
with deep psychological problems. These veterans suffered from a high rate of
divorce, drug abuse, suicide, involvement in violent crimes, and
joblessness."* |
| Now is the time for the United States of America, as a nation, to recognize
the veterans of the Vietnam War for their service, actions, bravery and
sacrifices. The community of Rancho Cucamonga commends the men and women who
served and lost their lives in the Vietnam War and gives special tribute to the
seven Alta Loma High School Braves who were killed, by erecting a monument in
their memory. |
| The original Vietnam Memorial Rose Garden was dedicated on May 30, 1972. The
group of students and staff who undertook that project faced hard times. There
was tremendous resistance to the War and veterans in 1972. A metal plate with
the inscription stands over a garden of rose bushes planted in honor of each of
the seven Alta Loma High School Braves killed in Vietnam. The roses have nearly
been torn out several times, but with the loud objections of staff who were
present in the early years, the memorial and rose garden have not been
removed. |
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TO YOUTH LIFE IS FOREVER
DEATH NEVER
THESE GAVE THEIR LIVES
SO FREEDOM COULD BE FOREVER
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| Although the memorial has been vandalized, the spirit and meaning of the
Memorial is till very strong. This original group from 1972 made a tremendous
accomplishment in building the first memorial. Without their initiative, the new
memorial may never have been built. They deserve heartfelt thanks and
gratitude. |
| In early 1989, the Alta Loma High School Alumni Association agreed to take
on the task of rebuilding the Memorial. John Freymueller, teacher at ALHS and
part of the original 1972 group, contacted the Alumni Association because he
thought it would be a good project and he felt the completion of the memorial
had lain dormant for too many years. The Alumni Association announced its'
intention to rebuild the Vietnam Memorial at the Veterans Day Ceremonies
sponsored by the City of Rancho Cucamonga on November 11, 1989. |
| Several people in the audience immediately made cash donations which, along
with an unsolicited donation from the R.C. Jr. Women's Club, gave the Alumni
Association the foundation needed to begin their project. After many months of
hard work, raising money, showing drawings & plans, handing out information,
spreading the word of the Vietnam Memorial, tracking down and contacting the
families of the seven ALHS Braves killed, coordinating donations of labor and
services and the construction of the Vietnam Memorial, the monument has become a
reality. |
| In the beginning, the memorial was planned to be an enhancement of the first
memorial, but because of the overwhelming response, support and encouragement
from the residents, businesses and government of the City of Rancho Cucamonga,
it was evident that the Alumni Association was able to raise its' goals and
improve on the quality of the memorial, surrounding area and dedication
ceremony, and making provision for future maintenance. |
| The project has been one of volunteers and donations. The Memorial was built
entirely with volunteer donations of money, services, goods and labor. It has
been built by people who care and who believe in the Memorial and for what it
stands. The people and businesses who have given assistance to the Vietnam
Memorial wanted to help. |
| Some who have helped have felt a need to do something for a brother, cousin,
friend…, who was taken away from them or permanently scarred by the Vietnam
War. For these people, there is finally a feeling of doing something, and
perhaps relieving some of that feeling of helplessness that they have carried
for so many years. |
The Alumni Association has found that in Rancho Cucamonga there is respect,
regard and pride in our veterans who served or were killed in the Vietnam War.
We can only hope and pray that our nation is also making this important and
valuable recognition.
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| This document is taken from the pamphlet passed out at the
Vietnam Memorial Rose Garden ceremony dedication, Dated
November 12, 1990, Alta Loma High School Alumni Association. |
*The
World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 20.
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