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Published on 07/06/1998 All articles from this issue

Local veterans applaud memorial monument dedication

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

There was a time when cannons spit fire and smoke, and the ground quaked with marching feet of thousands of men on foreign soil. These courageous fighting men and women defended our country. Many of those same fighting veterans attended the Veterans Memorial dedication July 4 in Shoup Park.

In the midst of all the parades, parties, fireworks and Fourth of July celebrations, veterans of different wars came for the dedication and recalled the time they defended their country.

Keith Southwick, 77, a veteran from Sunnyvale, is a Pearl Harbor survivor. He served on the USS Bobolink, a mine layer anchored in the harbor when the Japanese struck early in the morning. His ship kept the battleship California from capsizing after it was hit by bombs.

"This is one of the greatest July 4th events I have ever seen. This is freedom. It's what we fought for, and what we take for granted," Southwick said. "People don't know their history, they don't know the significance of Pearl Harbor. I keep telling my granddaughter Nicole, pay more attention to history because that's where our freedom comes from."

Don Kennedy, 75, a Pearl Harbor survivor, was in the army Dec. 7, 1941, and remembers the panic that peaceful Hawaiian morning. He has been a resident of Los Altos the last 33 years.

"It's time we did something like this for the veterans. I'm proud of Los Altos for doing this, and what a beautiful dedication to freedom," Kennedy said.

Kennedy is still in the defense business. He works with the U.S. government to keep it aware of new military developments.

"When the Japanese surprised us in Pearl Harbor they had new stuff. We were caught with our pants down with a bunch of old fighting gear, and I hope the military learned a lesson from that," Kennedy said.

Los Altos resident Kathleen Farrell joined the U.S. Air Force in 1976 and was in the first class to admit women to the Air Force Academy.

"This event is a celebration of freedom, democracy and the American way of life. I served in the Air Force so I could serve my country and raise my family in security and peace," Farrell said. "This monument represents a part of my heritage and my personal history of who I am. Now I can celebrate the monument when I bring my twins to Shoup Park to play."

Evangelo Gerontinos, 70, of Mountain View, served on the Hospital Ship USS Comfort during World War II. He saw his share of wounded and broken servicemen after battles in the Pacific.

"A monument like this is a remembrance of our heroic past. We are our brother's keeper and responsible for the survival of our nation," Gerontinos said. "In the midst of all the parades and fireworks celebrations, let's not forget the people and their families who have contributed so much to make America the 'Land of the Brave' and the 'Home of the Free.' God bless America."

Al Melcher, 69, a Mountain View resident, served in the 88th Infantry Division in North African and Italian campaigns. As a veteran, he has respect for his flag and his country.

"You have to be thankful for our freedom, and the battles we fought to get freedom. The flag is our symbol of freedom and it's the symbol of the nation," Melcher said.