By Terry Miller
From 1966 to1972, 14 US servicemen from Arcadia became casualties of the War in Vietnam; their names have been reverently etched onto the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in our nation’s capital.
Almost 50 years later, a local monument in their honor was dedicated Saturday, May 28, in Arcadia.
Gene Glasco, Arcadia City Clerk, Arcadia High School graduate, and Vietnam veteran said building a monument in tribute to Arcadia’s fallen was a vision he has had for many years. He shared his thoughts with Los Angeles County Supervisor a year ago this month, seeking his approval to build a monument in the Arcadia Regional Community Park.
Without any hesitation, Supervisor Antonovich readily endorsed his project, paving the way for Glasco to begin the year-long project.
Retired Brigadier General Emory “Jack” Hagan III, Commanding General California State Reserve and Marine Corps Vietnam veteran was the keynote speaker for the memorial’s commemoration.
“Three high school classmates and I went to Vietnam within a year of each other,” said Glasco, “tragically, two of them never came home.”
Their names, plus the names of 12 other Arcadia servicemen are permanently etched into the monument’s bronze plaque that was unveiled during the dedication ceremony.
“The Arcadia Vietnam War Monument has been built in honor of Arcadia’s sons lost in battle but it also stands in tribute to all living Vietnam era veterans,” added Glasco.
Another of the monument’s four plaques honors veterans from WWI, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and as recent as Afghanistan; their names and, in most cases, their military ranks are permanently inscribed into it.
At end of the ceremony and speeches a 21-gun-salute honored those men and women who lost their lives and after TAPS, a young scout, Daniel Black, performed “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.
