SIMI VALLEY : Trees a Tribute to Military Personnel

As other Ventura County cities plan parades and celebrations to welcome home the troops from the Persian Gulf, a group of Simi Valley citizens is planning a “living tribute” to honor all service men and women.

The group, which calls itself “The Freedom Tree,” will plant trees in parks throughout the city to honor military personnel of the past, present and future, said Mary McCurdy, organizer of the campaign.

McCurdy said she and Debi Schultze, vice chairwoman of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Parks District, said they recently formed the group because they were deeply moved by the courage and sacrifices of the men and women who fought in the Persian Gulf War.

“We’re talking about some very special people,” she said. “We owe them a lot. Everybody was touched by what they did.”

The 31-member organization, which has filed for nonprofit status, is asking residents and businesses to donate trees or to make cash contributions to purchase trees for the tribute.

“This way we are honoring our military and beautifying our city,” McCurdy said.

Rick Johnson, a Recreation and Parks District official, said the district supports the program and will allow the trees to be planted in city parks and then will maintain them.

So far, 17 trees have been donated to the group, and several local businesses have promised to participate in the drive, said McCurdy, who earlier led an effort to send 4,000 Valentine’s Day cards to the troops serving in the Gulf.

She said the group plans to kick off its tree-planting campaign on May 11 with a ceremony at Simi Hills Neighborhood Park. The group has invited city officials and plans to extend a special invitation to former President Ronald Reagan, whose presidential library is scheduled to open near Simi Valley in November.