Let Freedom Ring Loud and Clear by Jim Miller - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events

Let Freedom Ring Loud and Clear

By Jim Miller, Community Writer
April 2, 2014 at 11:27am. Views: 87

Freedom means a lot of different things to different individuals and groups. In the United States we are fortunate enough to have several freedoms that are sometimes taken for granted, such as the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to vote, and freedom of assembly, to name a few. Over three years ago there was a small group of individuals in Grand Terrace, largely made up of veterans, who got together to form the Veterans Wall of Freedom Organization as part of the Foundation of Grand Terrace. This group's goal is to build a monument of freedom for those men and women who answered the call to defend liberty and protect freedom by serving in the military. The site selected for the monument is Pico Park in the city of Grand Terrace, which is centrally located within the Inland Empire, stretching throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The site was dedicated on November 11th-Veterans’ Day-of 2011. The monument is to honor our military men and women, past and present, for their sacrifices, dedication, and service to our country. As in any well-intended endeavor, there are many obstacles to overcome, first of which is locating the funding to construct the monument, and second securing the proper manpower to forward the message to all of the veteran organizations and veterans themselves about this incredible opportunity to memorialize their service to the Country. Within the Inland Empire, it has been estimated that there are over 250,000 veterans and triple that amount for family members of veterans. The Veterans Wall of Freedom will be a unique memorial to American veterans, as it will spell out the word FREEDOM in large block letters which will stand six-feet tall, three-feet wide and 15 inches deep. This monument will span nearly 60 feet with seven flag poles strategically set in front of it to honor the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and POW/MIA with the American Flag situated in the middle on a 25-foot flag pole. The American Flag will fly every day and evening, with the other flags being flown only on special occasions or ceremonial dates. When construction on the monument is complete, there will be nearly 1,600 plaques available to honor individual veterans. Each plaque will measure six inches wide by three inches tall and will be able to contain three lines of text for the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service and other noteworthy information. This monument will be open to “ALL Veterans”. The call of freedom that is ringing loud and clear is coming from the organization itself, saying, “We need more volunteers who can support the challenge of creating this remarkable monument either with their time, talent or financial donations. Freedom is not free and the overall cost to design, construct, and maintain the wall is over $150,000. The overall goal is to dedicate this completed Wall of Freedom on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11th, 2015 at Pico Park. Please help us meet this challenge and honor the service and sacrifice of those who gave us our freedom—for they gave us the freedoms we enjoy every day.” The Organization meets the first Monday of every month at 6:30 a.m. They would like to invite anybody who wants to give a helping hand to contact either Don Larkin at 951-756-4711 or Robert Lavin at 909-234-2767 to find out where to join us. We need as many people as we can get to help us achieve our goal of honoring the veterans throughout the Inland Empire and surrounding cities. Remember to ask yourself this question—“What would I pay for freedom if I didn’t have it?”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 889

One of the most visible projects Navarro wants to advance is the city’s planned sports complex. He lists its development among his major accomplishments and says residents should evaluate another term partly by whether the city breaks ground and completes project phases. Read more about Mayor Frank Navarro...

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace City Council

By Doug Wilson, Councilmember, Contributing Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:05am. Views: 759

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace since 2014 Speaks out about why he feels Grand Terrace residents deserve to know the facts about Measure “N,” the proposed one-percent sales tax initiative on the ballot this November 3rd.

Photo Courtesy of: The CARE Project inc.

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:09pm. Views: 965

Photo caption: The CARE Project’s Vice President, Diana Jaurigue, with President & Founder Carrie Madrid, who is wearing the LympheDIVAS compression sleeve on her left arm. Donated compression garments help manage swelling and are essential to daily care for many breast cancer survivors.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:37pm. Views: 425

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) has once again partnered with ALDI for their annual volunteer event, where team members packed over 1,300 food boxes with various shelf-stable items to be distributed for disaster relief as needed.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 2197

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 828

Families enjoy a Halloween trunk-or-treat gathering with decorated vehicles, pumpkins and festive costumes. Grand Terrace has scheduled its 2026 Trunk or Treat celebration for October 31

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 966

Colton councilmember John Echevarria wants to expand his outreach to residents throughout the city, strengthen partnerships with county, state and federal officials, and build upon what he describes as a record of employee advocacy, neighborhood improvements and community involvement.Learn more about John Echevarria...

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 420

Loma Linda University Children's Health Specialty Clinics, a new five-story, 105,000-square-foot facility designed to bring more than 21 pediatric specialties together. The facility is expected to begin serving patients in early 2027.This is an AI-generated illustration, not a verified photograph of the actual building.

Photo Courtesy of: https://wellri.com

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 369

An October City announcement draws attention to an everyday household practice with benefits for food budgets, kitchen safety and the environment. A basket of fresh produce can represent a week's worth of meals, the results of a successful backyard harvest or an unexpected bargain at the grocery store. Yet without proper storage, even the freshest fruits and vegetables can spoil before a family has an opportunity to use them.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 611

An October announcement highlights how investigative technology and cooperation among law enforcement agencies can help solve crimes affecting Grand Terrace neighborhoods. For residents of Grand Terrace, home is more than an address. It is where families gather, children grow up and neighbors build relationships over many years. When a residential burglary occurs, the effects can extend beyond the property taken or damage caused. A crime inside someone's home can undermine the sense of security that makes a neighborhood feel safe.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 370

The rumble of a commercial truck passing through a city can represent two very different things. For a business awaiting a delivery, it may signal the arrival of essential supplies. For residents living near a busy roadway, it may raise concerns about traffic, noise and safety. In Grand Terrace, finding a reasonable balance between those interests is at the center of an ongoing transportation planning effort.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:49pm. Views: 824

Secure drop box is located outside the Grand Terrace Library, on the west end of the Civic Center building at 22795 Barton Road. According to the City, it will remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters is responsible for operating the box, collecting ballots and transporting them for election processing.

--> -->