Veterans and supporters gather at the Vietnam Memorial in Earl J. Koobs Nature Area for Memorial Day observances.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Fallen heroes were celebrated at the Carmichael Vietnam Monument on Monday, May 25. The 58-year community tradition continued with flags, speeches and prayers at the Earl J. Koobs Nature Area.

The preserve lies adjacent to the La Sierra Center, whose campus formerly housed La Sierra High School. Grieving 1970s students raised the monument to honor alumni killed in Vietnam War service. It is considered the first Vietnam memorial to be dedicated in California - and among the earliest in the nation.

More than 100 supporters – including Gold Star families, Kiwanis Club members and Boy Scouts - gathered for the service.

The speaker was Pat Carter, a US Army veteran and La Sierra High School graduate. Carter recalled friendships with several students named on the monument plaque and his feelings of guilt at surviving the war while they fell.

“Many of us have problems,” he told fellow veterans. “Please pick up the phone and call the VA. They have people who will help. The biggest enemy we have is our pride. When we were [in Vietnam], we couldn’t cry. Now we can. Ask your wives – they know we sleep better in our beds if we can cry.”

At least 15 graduates of Carmichael’s La Sierra High School perished in Vietnam War service.  As bell chimes rang, their names were announced by veterans Doug Lindsey and Phil Germond, “It’s an honor to say their names,” said Lindsey. “As long as someone does this, they’ll live forever. And that’s what we’re doing.”

Carmichael rock artist Todd Morgan led the crowd in singing Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land is Your Land.’ A solo trumpet rendition of Taps by law enforcement chaplain Mike Koons closed the ceremony.

Heroes commemorated by the monument are: Robert D. Anderson, Mark W. Burchard, Robert S. Bynes, Jerry Cowsert, Kenneth R. Escott, Gary R. Field, Herbert Frenzell, Frank Thornburg, Ralph Guarienti, Larry H. Morford, Thomas C. Pigg, Randall B. Rainville, Kim Richins, Jeffry Tharaldson and Robert A. Willis.

The Earl J. Koobs Nature area and Vietnam Monument are located at 5325 Engle Road, Carmichael.