MISSION VIEJO : City to Honor Those Who Fought Wars

Joseph D. Lowe’s father was killed when his plane was shot down over the English Channel during World War II, just two months before Lowe, now mayor of Mission Viejo, was born.

Two decades later, Lowe’s favorite uncle died in Vietnam when he threw himself on a hand grenade to save the others in his platoon.

Their deaths inspired Lowe to push for a permanent war memorial in Mission Viejo to honor all Americans who served in armed conflicts. The memorial, installed this week at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, will be dedicated Saturday.

“The commitment made by my dad, my uncle and thousands of guys just like them deserves to be recognized,” Lowe said. “I wanted the memory of everyone who fought for our freedom to be preserved for future generations.”

The result of a fund-raising drive by the city and a veterans’ group, the memorial will consist of four bronze plaques circling a flagpole in a small plaza beside the community center.

The first plaque, erected Wednesday, recognizes World War II veterans. As the fund-raising drive continues, organizers will install the other monuments dedicated to those who served in World War I and the wars in Vietnam and Korea.

“For me, it’s a commemoration and a way to bring together all veterans who reside in Mission Viejo,” said W.W. (Tex) Shannon, a member of the Veterans Memorial Task Force. “We served a nation in its time of need, and that’s the camaraderie I see between us veterans.”

Saturday’s dedication will start at 1:45 p.m. at the center, 24932 Oso Viejo Road. The speaker will be retired Army Capt. Terry O’Connell, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest medal for valor. The highest is the Medal of Honor.

Several groups will be recognized during the ceremonies, including Mission Viejo residents who served in three wars, women in the armed services, survivors of Pearl Harbor and veterans who served before World War II.

Organizers expect more than 500 people to attend.

“It will be a homecoming for all veterans who live in Mission Viejo,” Lowe said.