In the beginning….
In 2000, the Santa Clarita City Council initiated an aggressive effort to raise funds for the design and construction of a Veterans Historical Plaza. The City Council led an effort that included the support of then Assembly-member George Runner and State Senator Pete Knight, to secure $250,000 in State funding through the Department of Veterans Affairs for the land acquisition of one-half acre for this project. The Historical Veterans Memorial Committee assisted the City in public meetings and was originally responsible for the sale of inscribed bricks as part of the Plaza. Additionally, this committee raised funds for a special piece of art for the Plaza, “Willie, the Drummer Boy.”
The Plaza
The design of the Plaza evokes images of a formal Victorian garden. This may be seen in the symmetry of the layout, as well as in the detailing found in the architecture and furnishings. The design team’s goal was to create a place of serenity and reflection in the middle of the bustling city. The placement of water features provides both a dramatic visual effect and serves to reduce traffic noise from adjacent Newhall Avenue. Extending on either side of the water features are walkways with bronze story-stations depicting each of our nation’s military conflicts leading to a central lawn area. Across this lawn area are the majestic United States and California flags, flanked by flags of each of the five branches of the military. On either side, Victorian pergolas offer shade, and on special occasions, a place to gather or to stage performances. A brick walkway surrounds the ellipse and contains hundreds of engraved bricks honoring individuals who served in the military.
Willie the Drummer Boy | Artist Mark Henn
Standing proudly in the center of the plaza is a bronze statue of William J. Johnston Jr. who was presented the Medal of Honor on September 16, 1863 for gallantry in the Seven Day Battle and Peninsula Campaign. “Willie” was a five-foot-tall, eleven-year-old drummer boy in Company D, Third Vermont Volunteers Infantry of the Union Army, when he earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. He alone saved his drum and held his ground, and his devolution to duty is an inspiration to children and adults alike. Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Stanton honored Willie with the following words:
“For exemplifying the spirit of all our soldiers, and for serving your country so well. The nation has decided to honor you. May all our citizens demonstrate the devotion shown by this young man.”
Fallen Warriors Monument
In the summer of 2015, Mr. Bill Reynolds, local veteran and representative of the Santa Clarita Valley Veterans Memorial, Inc. (SCVVM), spearheaded an effort to create a monument to honor the military veterans of the Santa Clarita Valley who have been killed in action, beginning with World War I through the present day. Over the following months, Mr. Reynolds prepared a design and proposed the monument be installed in Veterans Historical Plaza, which was ultimately approved by SCVVM, cleared by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission and approved by the City Council. In November of 2017, City of Santa Clarita officials unveiled the Fallen Warriors Monument at Veterans Historical Plaza.
The Monument is a two-sided, solid granite wall with laser etched artwork and lettering. The installed Monument stands approximately six feet tall by seven-and-a-half feet wide. The front side includes the emblem of each branch of the military, the City logo and the names of all known Santa Clarita veterans killed in action, listed by war. The back side features a collage of images of each of the wars represented on the front of the monument. A walkway extends around the monument with seating provided on each side.
Thank you to the many donors who have helped bring the Veterans Historical Plaza into existence and whose contributions have funded many of the unique features at this park.
