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Enduring Heroes Memorial Commemorates Local Warriors
News May 31, 2017
Cal Phil's elaborate fireworks show closed the first in a new series at Santa Anita
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The eight-foot-tall bronze sculpture’s face includes features from all 11 fallen heroes. – Photo by Terry Miller / Beacon Media News
By Gus Herrera
For those who never served in the military or don’t necessarily have any direct ties to the armed services, the Memorial Day holiday may just seem like a much-needed three-day weekend to kick off the summer. But America’s day of remembrance for those who wrote a blank check to serve the country they loved is much more than a day to barbecue with friends and family.
Although the beaches of Normandy, jungles of Vietnam, and mountains of Afghanistan may seem distant to many, both in time and on the map, this year’s Memorial Day struck very close to home, especially for 11 local Gold Star families.
On Monday afternoon, Pasadena unveiled a new memorial at the corner of Colorado Street and Orange Grove Boulevard, a picturesque patch of green grass otherwise known as Defender’s Park.
The Enduring Heroes Memorial, an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of a combat soldier triumphantly bearing the American flag will stand as testimony to the courage of 11 local soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The memorial was sculpted by local artist Christopher Slatoff, sculpture chairman of the California Art Club and teacher at Pasadena’s Art Center School of Design.
The 11 fallen heroes, whose names have been forever etched into eternity, are as follows:
Army First Lieutenant, Todd J. Bryant, 23 – Khaldiya, Iraq, 2003.
Marine Second Lieutenant J.P. Blecksmith, 24 – Fallujah, Iraq, 2004.
Marine Lance Corporal, Dion M. Whitley, 21 – Ramadi, Iraq, 2005.
Marine Lance Corporal, Sergio H. Escobar, 18 – Ramadi, Iraq, 2005.
Army Reserve Specialist, Carla Jane Stewart, 37 – Tallil, Iraq, 2007.
Army Specialist, Adam J. Rosema, 27 – Baquba, Iraq, 2007.
Army Private First Class, Cory F. Hiltz, 20 – Baghdad, Iraq, 2007.
Marine Lance Corporal, Rogelio A. Ramirez, 21 – Al Anbar Province, Iraq, 2007.
Army Specialist, William J. Gilbert, 24 – Sanjaray, Afghanistan, 2013.
Army Green Beret Staff Sergeant, Scott R. Studenmund, 24 – Gaza Village, Afghanistan, 2014.
Army Sergeant, Joseph F. Stifter, 30 – Al Anbar Province, Iraq, 2016.
These 11 soldiers were truly local heroes, all attending nearby schools and hailing from the cities of Altadena, Glendale, La Canada, La Verne, Pasadena, Riverside, and San Marino. In order to emphasize this, the name patch on the bronze combat soldier simply reads: “Pasadena.”
Not only does Slatoff’s statue bear the names of these brave individuals, the artist also incorporated features from the 10 men and one woman into the sculpture’s face. Using photos as reference, Slatoff ensured that the essence of each of the heroes will endure through his latest work.
Monday’s somber yet inspiring ceremony included musical performances, an appearance by the Marine Corps Color Guard, and even a special flyover.
Mayor Terry Tornek, Congressman Adam Schiff, Enduring Heroes Committee Chair Shelly Lowe, Gold Star father Ed Blecksmith (USMC Vietnam Veteran), and keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel David Diamond all made remarks.
To learn more about the Enduring Heroes, visit their website (http://enduringheroes.us/index.html) or Facebook page.
