Veterans Memorial

Called the design magnificent but said 3/8-inch lettering is unacceptable — more names will keep coming as the community learns about the memorial.

Daughter of a WWII veteran who researched ~400 names for the wall; thanked the design team and joined the call for larger lettering.

Veterans coalition member who wanted service awards (Purple Heart, Bronze Star) recognized alongside names; thanked the council and called them 'the best trash talkers.'

Coalition secretary spoke in favor of Concept Design 2, honoring her uncle Furman de la Rosa Jr., a Silver Star recipient who will be among the honorees.

Thanked the council, veterans, and staff; urged making sure there's enough room on the memorial for all the names still to come.

Thanked the council for recognizing Military Appreciation Month, promoted the final week to buy Field of Honor flags at Plaza Park, the Air Force Band concert May 18 at the Mission Playhouse, and applications for veterans' names on the future memorial.

The Veterans Coalition president said the group has worked over six years on this project, urged approval, and noted the memorial honors veterans from all conflicts and will help people appreciate their service.

A founding director of the coalition suggested adding an eternal light to honor fallen veterans.

A coalition member whose father and uncles were WWII veterans said the mission-style design fits the site, the memorial will make the city proud, and more names will come once people see it built.

The Veterans Coalition president thanked the architects for capturing what veterans wanted, especially given current events in the Middle East, and asked for continued open communication with the city and architects as the design moves forward.

The coalition president said the group has pushed for a memorial for over six years and prefers design option two, the pergola, urging the process move forward smoothly with names going back to at least World War I.

A longtime veterans volunteer said the coalition chose option two with minor changes, described the October community meeting, and confirmed more than 300 names of San Gabriel-born or resident veterans will appear on the wall from all wars and branches.

The daughter of a Korean War Marine urged the commission and reviewing bodies to honor the aging veterans' wish to see the memorial completed, describing option two as peaceful and a fitting place of rest and remembrance.

Asked residents to submit names and discharge paperwork of San Gabriel veterans born or living in the city so they can be included on the future memorial.

A Coalition founding member, spoke movingly about her uncle Furman Dalarosa Jr., a Vietnam veteran whose name will appear on the memorial, and thanked the city for supporting the project.

As Coalition president, noted nearly 400 veteran names collected and urged legible lettering and a stage area for Veterans Day and Memorial Day events.

Explained the Coalition's design edits, urged the council to reach a decision so aging veterans can see the memorial, and raised concerns about skateboarders and graffiti.

During reopened comment, asked about keeping the Coalition informed as the design moves to commissions.

Urged the council to keep any digital display subtle so it doesn't clash with the historic Mission setting, favoring simple illumination of names and the flag.

Asked that the Coalition be kept informed of each step as the design goes to commissions, noting members are elderly and want assurance the project will move forward.

A longtime supporter of the project, raised pedestrian and traffic safety concerns at the curve near Mission Elementary and asked for traffic calming near the memorial site.

Asked the city to install a 'future home of the veterans memorial' sign at the site, explaining the Coalition cannot fundraise until a final design exists and every delay hurts.