PHILANTHROPY: A New Flag in Honor of the Fallen

by David R. Bloom

   Memorial Day is almost here. Just about this time, various groups in greater Highland Park get their priorities straight and start talking about sprucing up Veterans Memorial Square. The Square is a public space created largely through the efforts of longtime 14th District City Councilman Art Snyder, now deceased. Its original design consisted of the still existing flagpole and an assortment of bronze plaques inlaid into the ground. Each plaque listed the names of the Franklin High School students who went on to die in WWII.

   In 1999, the office of 14th CD Councilman Nick Pacheco sealed the deal on an improvement project started by his predecessor Richard Alatorre, who joined with the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, Franklin High School Historical Society and American Legion Highland Park Post #206, to add an Arroyo Seco stone fountain to the site. The names on the previous plaques were added to a single, larger bronze and an additional plaque was added to include the names of NELA community members who served in Vietnam. Smaller plaques were also conspicuously placed to honor Snyder and Alatorre for their services to the veteran community.

   The US Flag at the historic Square is unserviceable and was taken down a week ago. A campaign to purchase a new, all-weather flag of impressive size has been launched, and the public is asked to follow the link below to submit a donation to this cause.

https://www.gofundme.com/24mfgepw