California Veterans Memorial - Feedback Request

Patriot Defenders Network ^ | Saturday, August 23, 2003 | Dave Jenest

[comwatch]

Feedback Request

The Background:

	Dedication of the Memorial, December 12, 1998. Governor Pete Wilson; Ray Sisk, Chairman, California Veteran Memorial Commission; Haile "Jake" Jaekel, Chairman, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association; Dr. Monica Crooks, DDS, representing women veterans; Lee Bennett, Acting Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs.(Click on thumbnail to see full-size photo - 39k)
"For answering the call of service to their country, our veterans... must not be forgotten. Their service, their sacrifice, their courage must be etched in America's memory... and remembered... as the price they paid to pass on to us... the legacy of freedom and glory that is America."

The California Veterans Memorial:

"A Place of Dignity, Inspiration and Quiet Contemplations"

The Memorial is aesthetically unique and in total concert with the mature natural surroundings of Capitol Park where it stands. It inspires and nurtures among all visitors -- veterans, non-veterans and especially school children -- a heightened sense of patriotism and an appreciation for the sacrifices endured by the veterans from this state since 1850 when statehood was bestowed upon California.

The memorial consists of a small plaza amongst a grove of mature trees and bordered by a low curved natural berm along the inside of which benches are set. Behind the berm will be a landscaped earthen mound intended to enhance the natural contour of the site. In the center of the plaza, the focal point of the memorial, stands a scultured granite obelisk. The obelisk, an ancient form used as a symbol of government in many societies, represents a united force reaching upward to emphasize the heroic determination with which our veterans have defended our freedoms. Upon closer examination, the obelisk presents the devastation of war. On its surface, visitors will find the careful blending of smooth black surfaces with almost ghostly images of people in determined defense of their country. The united form of the obelisk is split into four pieces and set on the four points of the compass to represent the limitless boundaries of their determination, while the split itself represents the destructive nature of war and the potential fragmenting of our nation.

PDN Photo

In addition to the monument, the memorial contains a registry of veterans accessible through a computer kiosk using state of the art touch-screen technology. The kiosk sits in the center of a small plaza formed by granite pavers engraved to honor those who have contributed to the project. Continuing the artistic line established by the berm surrounding the monument, a similarly curved set of granite benches sets off the kiosk area.

The power of the memorial elements and the verdant park surroundings into which it is placed enables all visitors to contemplate both the cost of America's liberty and the memory of those men and women who have paid it through their military service.
 

---

The words above are from the California Department of Veterans Affairs. PDN received information that a granite plaque (photo below) has been added in the walkway to the obelisk coming from the memorial plaza and kiosk area.

The Question: Acceptable tribute or inappropriate?

PDN Photo

We've been asked to collect feedback by a California State Senator's office and will forward comments that contain persuasive arguments on both positions. You need not be a resident of California to participate.

Please consider the spirit for which the memorial was commissioned and respond in a manner respectful of our national heroes. If you are a veteran, please include branch of service and any campaign where you served (if appropriate)

  E-Mail PDN Webmaster with your opinion..

 

[elbucko]

"The Question: Acceptable tribute or inappropriate?",

Neither. In the context of a war memorial, the mention of anything "sexual" is a complete nonsequitur.

[comwatch]

Please consider passing this request on to appropriate veteran threads and groups. The topic is, without question, sensitive and charged with social issues.

I must say the increasing proliferation of "group agendas" are disturbing to me. At what point do personal choices become invasive or offensive to the larger meaning of tributes to America's heroes. At what point does it become a "we're special and deserve more recognition than others" matter.

Even though I'm not a veteran myself, I question the relevance of this plaque. There's also the question of veracity... "trangendered" is not a term this civilian can even equate to service in our military... ever.

While elbucko's point that the question is a "complete nonsequitur", the Senator is looking for consensus. Is this a line in the sand that's been crossed and needs addressing. Should this candidate for higher office choose this issue when there are so many others we face in California. He's a veteran and he's seeking your input.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Comwatch.

I find it offensive. It should read:

"In Honor of Veterans Killed in Action"

Sexual preference, race, Religion or gender have nothing to do with ones status of "KIA" or Veteran.

I've sent my "feedback"

[aomagrat]

The Question: Acceptable tribute or inappropriate?

[SAMWolf]

Bravo Sierra is absolutely right!

[snippy_about_it]

I don't have the words. This is so not right. Anything else and I'll be in trouble.

[farmfriend]

Rights list and the Sac area list.

[HairOfTheDog]

Who pays for the individual pavers?

Is this one of those fund-raising drives where people donate in order to have a paver put in with their own message or memorial to a loved one? I am gathering that is not it and these are official memorials by govt agencies?

Entirely inappropriate to bring sexuality into a memorial for a person's sacrifice. At no point is the sexual history of any serviceman or woman in a memorial mentioned. It isn't special how they chose to have sex. It was special that they gave their lives for their country. Good Lord, it isn't about sex. How cheap.

[CholeraJoe]

"Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender veterans killed in action"

Right. I'll be the person who placed that memorial can't name even ONE person in each of those categories.

[CholeraJoe]

"be " should read "bet"

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[U S Army EOD]

They went to far on this one. I can understand now why they must be protected from hate crimes, because acts like this really make people hate them. It is really time we quit catering to the desires of the loosers of society. These queers just need to stay in the closet.

I also replied to the survey and was a lot less tactful in what I had to say than I was in the above.

[comwatch]

Finding specific information on policy issues has just begun. We invite serious minded individuals to aid in that effort.  I am of the opinion that someone must be on a board or review committee that processes these submissions.  The material below offers insight into future plans to expand on what the public can view at the plaza and the video terminal.  What that approval process entails and who sets it, should be of concern to all of us.  Note the following statement on the California Department of Veterans Affairs website:

"There are hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of veterans memorials located throughout the Golden State dedicated to the military service of the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. These veterans memorials range in size from the simple plaque on a wall in a public building or in a park, to large structures, such as buildings, bridges and even freeways. To date, there has been no central repository, or Registry, for information about these memorials. Senate Bill 1635 (Chapter 392, 2000), authored by former California State Senator Adam Schiff, changed that by requiring the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) to establish an on-line statewide California Veterans Memorial Registry. CDVA is responsible for establishing the Registry and making it publicly accessible on this website."

Any legislative process involves our tax dollars. At some point, it's necessary to understand who becomes the arbiter and the watchdog of such public policy. To trust the guardians of history without question may allow revision of that proud history by those with less than honorable intentions.

For more details from the CDVA site here's a sample and clickable links:

	California Veterans Memorial

You or a Loved One Can Become Part of the Memorial The California Veterans Memorial Registry is a permanent record of all California Veterans -- past and present -- who have served our nation since statehood was established in 1850. Whether cook or fighter pilot, mechanic or chief of staff, this memorial will honor them all, and forever immortalize the contributions that California veterans have made to their nation. Integral to the California Veterans Memorial is a video terminal. Using touch screens, visitors to the memorial are able to access specific information about California veterans and the manner in which they served. Each California veteran is entitled to the basic information of name, rank and branch of service. To create a truly living memorial, California veterans are encouraged to expand on the basic information by contributing to the enhanced registry. The Enhanced Registry California veterans can be truly immortalized by including a photograph (preferably in military uniform) for a donation of $35 and/or a 100-word statement for a donation of $15. Any veteran who considers California to be their home is eligible to participate. The 100-word statement is your opportunity to describe your military experience, or that of a loved one. The written statement can include such information as medals awarded, duty stations, nicknames, anecdotes, hometown or other relevant information. Visitors to the memorial will be able to refer to this information forever and recall the military experience of a father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, sister or brother, cousin or friend. There are other memorials in California, but none that represent all who have served, whether in peacetime or during war, and from all branches of military service. The California Veterans Memorial was built with money raised solely through private contributions such as your donation to the enhanced registry. The memorial receives no state money for this project. Your financial support will go directly to the memorial fund. Enroll today! For more information please write to the California Veterans Memorial Project at 1227 "O" Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or call at (800) 808-2862. New! Register on-line You may also download an enrollment form to fill out and send to us. (This form requires the Adobe Acrobat reader, which can be downloaded from Adobe .) If you wish, you may also use this form to make an additional donation* to the Memorial Fund. * Under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, your generous donation to the Memorial is a gift to the State of California for an exclusive public purpose, and therefore should be deductible for income tax purposes, subject to any limitations contained in Section 170.

[PhilDragoo]

Thanks for the heads-up (their clymers). I have written to "Dave":

I am looking at a photo of an outrageous memorial "in honor of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered killed in action".

This is obscene and disgusting.

My father served in WWII aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3) with other brave Americans and now rests in a veterans' cemetery in California.

There is and should be no place in the recognition of veterans for their sexual orientation--only their service and sacrifice.

Such modern-day "political-correctness" is sheer proselytizing for perversity--not recognition of valor.

Remove this blight on the memory of all veterans of all conflicts.

~~~

This reminds me of Hitlery's goons spitting on the NYPD honor guard in 2000.

Further this deponent sayeth not.

[spirit_free]

Thanks for the ping. I sent my thoughts, which may not mean much, but they are known. This is so sick. It just really makes me angry that some people cannot even breath without making a politically correct statement of some kind, or in some way. We, as a country, have some BIG and SERIOUS problems. I do not feel very optimistic.

[ErnBatavia]

I wasn't aware this guy didn't make it home...

[man of Yosemite]

The plaque will be defaced by someone who will consider it a slap in the face to the moral character upon which this nation was built. Let's see, is there a way to honor veterans of our state and promote the homosexual agenda? This makes me want to puke.

[comwatch]

Feedback Request via emails: Please indicate in your reply if your comments may be forwarded to the party that requested this feedback.  I realize this is a volatile issue, however, we have an obligation to approach it with measured and reasoned comments on either side.  I want to thank all those who have responded so far. Frankly, the quantity and quality of your messages have been surprising and they have been forwarded to the Senator's office with a copy to the author.

Dave Jenest, PDN Admin.

  E-Mail PDN Webmaster with your opinion..