Page 5 - AV Wall 2019 - 10 Year Anniversary Program

AV WAll — 10 YeArs of BriNgiNg PeoPle TogeTher
November 2019 5 avwall.org
and in schools ranging from elementary through high school. More than $20,000 was raised that way. It was nearly enough to put the drive over the top. And then, the drive was over the top. After its initial display, city leadership nominated the Point Man AV organization as “Guard- ians of the AV Wall.”
Many of the AV Wall’s presenta- tions — like this 10th Anniversary Cel- ebration — have been at the Palmdale Amphitheater, attracting thousands of visitors annually. A trio of volunteers from City of Palmdale, including Linda Willis, Planning Commissioner Chair Stacia Nemeth, and Annie Pagliaro, Recreation Supervisor with city Rec- reation and Culture, work with Bertell and the volunteers who help the AV Wall Committee in its work of respect and healing.
Ten years is a good time to look at the legacy of the AV Wall, its moving tribute, and relation to the national Vietnam Memorial.
Editor’s Note: Longtime AV journal- ist, Army vet and Iraq War embed Den- nis Anderson has covered the Antelope Valley Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall since the inception of the project in 2005.
Courtesy photograph
memorial, from Page 2 ______
in Iraq and Afghanistan, with U.S. ca- sualties — mostly young soldiers and Marines — returning to the Antelope Valley in flag-draped caskets. Also, surviving troops returned home with issues related to their own combat zone experiences.
“We didn’t want what happened to us to ever happen to the troops coming home from these wars,” Palermo said at the time. Thus, he and a number of local Vietnam War veterans made a point of attending “Welcome Home” ceremo- nies for returning units and individuals.
Meanwhile, the group of local vet- erans coalesced with volunteers from Palmdale Playhouse and the wider community to raise funds for a memo- rial that would make citizens of the Antelope Valley proud.
None of this was easy, and it became a years’ long effort. A local firm, Signs + Designs, agreed to take on the proj- ect, and try to meet its own expenses. Ultimately, more than $100,000 would be needed to complete the AV Wall, expenses to cover design, construction and engraving, using a composite mate-
rial “that was the closest we could get in a black material we could engrave,” Navy veteran Nester recalled.
Much of the effort turned around a citizens committee, with staff and vol- unteers from the Palmdale Playhouse, and the small, dedicated membership of a veterans talking support group, Point Man Ministries of the Antelope Valley.
The drive was coming up short — maybe as much as $30,000 short. Both cities had donated, and so had American Legion and Veterans of For- eign Wars posts. The major aerospace primes had contributed. But it still was not enough.
“We had a meeting,” Nester recalled. “And we were trying to decide whether to shut it down, and try to give the money back.” He added, “Mike Bertell said, ‘We’ve come this far. It would seem a shame if we didn’t give it one more try.’”
Linda Santana, an Antelope Valley native and magazine editor, suggested a renewed drive that would involve local schools. It was called “Pennies for Soldiers.” Five-gallon water bottles were posted around the community,
K. Ron Saidara, D.D.S. Creating Beautiful Smiles
Dental Implants
A permanent solution for tooth replacement and a better quality of life.
Complimentary exam, X-Rays, and consultation.
Teeth Whitening
Whiter teeth in one hour, guaranteed.
Exam, X-Rays, cleaning, and in office teeth whitening $150.00 only.
6.5” AD SPACE
2030 West Ave. J | Lancaster, CA 93536
(661) 949-6757 | www.drsaidara.com