It was on Veterans Day 2012 that the Brea War Memorial had its official dedication on the grassy knoll in front of the Civic and Cultural Center.

Every year since, the city of Brea has hosted a remembrance ceremony and program at the memorial on Veterans Day. But how did it all begin? It all started with former mayor Don Schweitzer.

In 2006, then Councilman Schweitzer was in Europe and noticed that wherever he went nearly every city and town, regardless of size, had a veterans memorial.

“I believe it was when I got serious about it, and getting the city involved,” he said.

Like a lot of proposed city projects, then city manager Tim O’Donnell told Schweitzer there was no budget for it.

But Schweitzer didn’t give up, and eventually Unocal offered to pay for for the memorial, estimated at $150,000 to $200,000. After much discussion, the City Council approved the project. Schweitzer added that Councilman Ron Garcia was instrumental in getting it passed.

A War Memorial Committee was formed, and Schweitzer said a national competition was launched.  Several artists made presentations with sample models of their memorial designs.

Breans were invited to view and vote on the models, as was the committee.  Finally, noted artist/architect Susan Narduli of the award-winning Narduli Studio in Los Angeles was chosen to create Brea’s memorial.

The memorial consists of the Monument of Remembrance, the Walk of Honor and five white translucent marble pillars on the grass with emblems of each branch of service and its flag at each pillar.

The tall, black granite Monument of Remembrance gives me patriotic pangs when I see it and the names etched on it face of Brea members of the armed forces who died for us and our country. At present there are 19 Breans honored on the monument who served in World War I to the Iraq War.

The Walk of Honor leads to the Monument of Remembrance and is covered with pavers, many inscribed with the names of Brea service men and women and emblems of their branch of service.

For more information and the nomination forms for the Monument of Remembrance or the Walk of Honor pavers,  visit cityofbrea.org online and put “Brea War Memorial” in the search box.

Each Veterans Day, active, retired armed service members and those who gave their lives for our country are honored at the memorial. This year’s celebration will be 10 a.m. on Nov. 11.

Staff Sgt. Devin Clarke will be the keynote speaker. He was a 24-year-old college graduate who became an Army Special Operations interrogator, assigned to Joint Special Operation Command and Special Forces. He served six years and was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

On a mission in Syria an ISIS suicide bomber ambushed his team. He was one of three survivors, sustained third-degree burns, hearing loss and shrapnel injuries, and received a Purple Heart. He took a medical retirement in 2021.

Clarke is currently enrolled in Chapman University with the goal of a Masters Degree in War, Diplomacy and Society.

Do plan to come honor all veterans and Staff Sgt. Clarke and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Brea War Memorial. And stop by the memorial some time, instead of just driving by it.

Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at  daxoncomm@gmail.com.