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Published on 11/09/1998 All articles from this issue

'Cradle of Liberty' presides over Los Altos Veterans Day tribute

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

With the 8-foot-6-inch tall "Cradle of Liberty" statue presiding above the gathered crowd at Shoup Park, this year's Veterans Day tribute last Wednesday in Los Altos took on new visual elements, even as it carried on traditional acknowledgments of all veterans throughout U.S. history.

"Veterans Day is a reflection of prior veterans who served before me in the armed services so my grandkids can walk around free," said Lew Miller, commander of Los Altos Post 558. "It's a privilege to celebrate this occasion in America."

The Los Altos commemoration featured presentations by new Los Altos Mayor Lou Becker, and Joseph McNamara, former San Jose police chief and now a research fellow for the Hoover Institute. Speeches were given from a podium directly in front of "Cradle of Liberty," a bronze statue by Los Altos artist R.J. Truman that depicts a soldier cradling a baby. The memorial sculpture was dedicated this past July 4.

In his first speech as mayor, Becker presented a proclamation to Town Crier publisher Paul Nyberg for creating the veterans event six years ago. In prior years, Veterans Day events were held in the Community Plaza, at State and Main streets in downtown Los Altos.

McNamara, the keynote speaker, said he was used to speaking about crime, but this was the first time he would speak about veterans.

"We are a peace-loving nation and looking back in history, our enemies have not recognized our desire for freedom," he said. "It's our freedom of religion and speech that other parts of the Americas do not enjoy," McNamara said. "So we pay special tribute on this one day in the year in the name of freedom."

Bill Goss, American Legion past district commander, said more than 1 million Americans have died in military combat in past wars.

"Some veterans are easy to recognize, but most live among us quietly and are unassuming - that's why we came here today to pay tribute to our veterans," Goss said. "If you want to know what war is like, I recommend those who did not serve to go and see 'Saving Private Ryan.'"

Festivities closed with a poem read by Debby Maynard titled, "Hello David, My Name is Dusty, I'm Your Night Nurse."

Helping to organize this year's proceedings were veterans William C. Henderson and Joseph W. Brandon. Henderson and Brandon organized the fundraising for the memorial statue and arranged for its christening ceremony.

Veterans Day was originally organized after World War I. The armistice ending that war was signed at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month.