Saddleback College commemorates veterans memorial

College commemorates veterans memorial
By Joseph Espiritu


Behind every monument are its thinkers, builders and admirers. When the plans to build a Veterans Memorial at Saddleback College first came to light over 8 years ago, few saw the potential of the once-bare lot nestled in the corner of the campus’ quad.

But for former college president Richard McCullough and the hundreds of veterans who call the campus home, there was no better way to honor the brave men and women who fight for our freedoms than to erect the biggest veterans memorial found in any college campus in the nation.

With every shuffle of paperwork and each drop of sweat the foundation grew and took form. As time progressed, each brick laid, slowly modeled the final product, until an evident silhouette of earth tones from the bricks reflected back during the golden hours of the afternoon sun.

“I can fondly remember talks with [former Saddleback College president] Rich [Mcullough] – I was so impressed with how every time I visited the campus they had built a little more on the memorial, brick by brick,” said Irvine Valley College President Glenn Roquemore.

As the crowd sang to our nation’s anthem, eyes fixed on the flags held up by the Joint-Services Color Guard; it became apparent that the memorial was missing a flag of its own. It wasn’t until later in the ceremony will a flag that carried so much history be raised filling the gap that made the structure a true symbol of freedom.
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College commemorates veterans memorial