Engraved bricks honoring the living and the dead who have served our country are filling in and filling up the Veterans Historical Plaza in Santa Clarita. Pam Hogan, Chairman of the Veterans Historical Memorial Committee is proud of the historical walk of bricks that memorial visitors can see upon visiting the site located in Old Town Newhall. “More than 700 bricks have already been purchased. The plaza is full of stories of grandfathers, fathers and sons who have all served and have bricks with their names on them,” says Hogan.
The plaza is a celebration of military history with half of the bricks honoring Veterans who are still living and current military and the other half purchased for those who have died.
“A lot of the bricks have been purchased by grandchildren of those who have served. There are even bricks honoring those who served during the Civil War,” says Hogan.
A life-size bronze statue of Willie Johnston, the first recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor can be viewed at the Plaza and sales of a pin with a likeness of him are being sold for five dollars each to help pay for it. Brick sales at a rate of $100 each also contribute to the cost of the Willie statue and maintenance of the plaza.
“Some donors want to have three, four and even five bricks laid together. There are seven or eight bricks laid in the ground honoring the soldiers who went to Poly Technical High School and didn’t come back from Viet Nam,” says Hogan.
Recently a local Veteran was given a gift of a brick from his children. He was very grateful and said he really wanted to be recognized but, didn’t want to blow his own horn. Thrilled by the thoughtful gift, he is proud that his name will live on forever in a brick at the plaza memorializing his patriotic deed of service.
Later this year, 13 educational story stations depicting American history will be placed at the site for everyone to be reminded about the service our nation’s Veterans have made to protect American freedom.
There are still hundreds of memorial bricks available for purchase. If you would like to honor someone who is currently serving in the military or is a Veteran, contact the Historical Veterans Memorial Committee, P.O. Box 2538, Santa Clarita, 91386-2538, 661-251-7870. Orders placed before April 30th will be engraved and laid before Memorial Day.
