Community gathered to join the ceremony
COARSEGOLD — With the community present to applaud the results, Caring Veterans of America, Inc. (CVA) unveiled the newly installed Veterans Memorial located at the Coarsegold Historic Village on Saturday, Nov. 11. The project, some 18-months in the making, marks the corner of Highway 41 and Road 415, standing nobly to honor those who have served and sacrificed in the United States Military.
It was a crisp and lovely Veterans Day in the foothills, as Jolinda Thomas began the ceremony by singing her beautiful version of “God Bless America” and “The National Anthem.”
Village owners Richard and Diane Boland
Veterans, parents, children, and even family dogs attended the unveiling ceremony, waving mini-American Flags in support of our fallen heroes and our service men and women. A beautiful red, white, and blue wreath made by the Daughters of the American Revolution was prominently displayed.
Special guests included Madera County District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler, Madera County District Attorney David Linn, and patrons Richard and Diane Boland, along with Theresa Lopez, Lt. Col. David Hall, John Scherer and General Keith Jones. Chaplain Mark Unger led prayer.
Veterans Monument stands at the northwest corner of Highway 41 and Road 415 in Coarsegold
“My family and all of you are the reason we get together like this,” Supervisor Tom Wheeler said, referring to the veterans, while sharing that he and his family have served in the military in various capacities.
Diane Boland recited her favorite John F. Kennedy quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Richard and Diane Boland are the owners of the Coarsegold Historic Village, and have leased the land on which the memorial sits for 99 years to the CVA.
The Bolands say they are honored to lease the area to such a great, symbolic memorial to our veterans.
Diane closed her speech saying, “When we see this monument, let us all respect each other.”
The salt-and-pepper granite monument project will have a final cost of approximately $35,000, made possible by local businesses and individuals, and features an American flag in the center, flanked by soldiers on each side.
CVA offers special thanks to Don Webber for landscaping, as well as cement contractor Mario Gomez, Lee Cement, John Carrington for fencing, Dave Hughes of Fisk Tree Service, Yosemite Lumber, Bell Memorial, Lithia Motors of Fresno, Raymond Granite and the CVA crew of Tyler, Robert and Nathan.
The Veterans Memorial in Coarsegold is a monument-in-progress. Additional improvements will include the installation of three flag poles and lighting, and more landscaping. Watch for these changes in the coming months and we will update as progress is made.
Caring Veterans of America, Inc. has monthly meetings and plans Stand Downs each year. For more information, visit the organization online or them a call.
Caring Veterans of America, Inc. on Facebook
