Photo Gallery: Glendale hero gets a grave marker 50 years to the day of his death in the Vietnam War
A plaque has been installed at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Family friends Heather McCarthy, left, her mother Charlynn McCarthy, second from left, Barbara Neff and her son Joey Bulgarino arrive for unveiling of plaque at the unmarked grave site for Neff’s brother and Glendale resident US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Patriot Guard riders stand next to covered plaque that was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Family friends Heather McCarthy, left, her mother Charlynn McCarthy, second from left, Barbara Neff and her son Joey Bulgarino, right, arrive for unveiling of plaque at the unmarked grave site for Neff’s brother and Glendale resident US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Barbara Neff reflects during ceremony to unveil a plaque at the unmarked grave site for her brother and Glendale resident US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Marine Corps League Detachment #597 color guard does a 21-gun salute after plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Marine Corps League Detachment #597 color guard bugler plays taps after plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Barbara Neff receives an American Flag from event organizer and family friend David Persson during ceremony to unveil a plaque at the unmarked grave site for her brother and Glendale resident US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Friend and event organizer David Persson after plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. Persson visited the unmarked grave site often until last year when he asked Altieri’s sister if she wanted to place a plaque at the site. She agreed and he decided to unveil it 50 years to the day of Altieri’s death to honor him. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Patriot Guard Riders SoCal ride captain Scotty Wiles presents a commemorative plaque to family members after a grave site plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Barbara Neff reflects during ceremony to unveil a plaque at the unmarked grave site for her brother and Glendale resident US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Glendale High School choir members, back row, left director Grace Sheldon-Williams, Brian Sahcnez and Kian Sidi, and from row left to right, Franz Valerio, Allela Ortin and Isabella Caballero sing the National Anthem before plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Marine Corps League Detachment #597 color guard place flags at the spot where a plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
Patriot Guard riders and guests at ceremony where plaque was unveiled at the unmarked grave site for Glendale resident and US Army PFC Allan J. Altieri 50 years to the day after he was killed in Vietnam, at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Friday, June 24, 2016. PFC Altieri, a graduate of Glendale High School, died at age 19 during a battle in Vietnam. His family moved to the East Coast after Altieri died because, according to a friend, his parents couldn’t take the loss. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)