Sundial memorial points to Veterans’ unspoken bond
Hermosa Beach Councilman and retired Army Colonel Raymond Jackson spoke of the unspoken bond among U.S. military veterans, and then introduced the oldest and youngest veterans present during last Friday’s Veterans Day ceremony.
Daniel Plaster, retired California Air National Guard band member, and leader of Boy Scout Troop 788, performs taps at the close of Hermosa’s Veterans Day celebration. Photos by Kevin Cody
The ceremony was held at the Veterans are Timeless memorial on the lawn in front of the city community center. The memorial is a 12-foot high, black granite sundial with an angled flag pole (gnomon) whose shadow indicates the time. The Air Force, Army, Marine Corp, Navy, and Coast Guard (but not the Space Force, yet) are represented by black granite blocks where attendees laid flowers.
Hermosa Beach Councilmember, and retired Army Colonel Raymond Jackson welcomes guests to the annual Veterans Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Veterans are Timeless memorial.
Hermosa Kiwanis presented a $1,000 check to Jackson for maintenance of the memorial by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 53.
Hermosa Beach Councilmember Mary Campbell.
Mike Fleischer, 95, was the oldest veteran to attend last week’s Hermosa Beach Veterans Day ceremony. Fleisher served in the Navy in World War II and in the Korean War.
Simon Mattox, 49, the youngest veteran to attend last week’s Veterans Day Ceremony, with daughter Teagan. Mattox was an Army captain and Aviation pilot from 1995 until 2003.
Councilman Raymond Jackson accepts checks totaling $1,300 from Yvonne Amarillas, of the Hermosa Woman’s Club, and Rick Koenig, of the Hermosa Kiwanis Club.
Isabella Blake Thomas, star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” sings the National Anthem.