Local News in Brief : Fullerton : Veterans Memorial to Be Unveiled Monday

A 10-foot granite memorial to 108 local war veterans will be unveiled Monday at the city’s Hillcrest Park.

The Fullerton Emblem Club raised $27,000 by selling hot dogs and ice cream and soliciting to pay for the memorial. It is the result of a year-old project to build a monument for all Fullerton residents who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The club at first sought to restore the park’s existing monument, dedicated only to World War II veterans. Built in 1945 by the Izaak Walton League in Santa Ana, the redwood memorial has extensive termite damage and is beyond repair. “When we found out it was impossible (to restore it), we started a campaign to do another one,” memorial committee chairman Dottie Keegan said.

The actual cost of the 19,000-pound granite monument is $30,000. According to its builder, Bill Anderson, it should last forever. The city has loaned the club $5,000 to complete the project, with payment due based on incoming donations.

The new monument will have an eagle on top and will be engraved with crossed flags and the list of veterans. The inscription, taken from the existing monument, will read: “To forget them would be cruel to their spirit.”