POL POSITION:New memorial is a monument to freedom

Next month, I will have the privilege of joining the entire community in dedicating our new Costa Mesa veterans’ memorial at Harbor Lawn Memorial Park.

This veterans’ memorial is a fitting tribute from a grateful community, honoring the generations of America’s bravest who have died throughout our nation’s history to protect the sacred freedoms we all enjoy.

Remembering those who have served in every branch of the military throughout our history — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard — our new memorial is a solemn reminder that freedom isn’t free.

Displaying plaques and flags detailing the important contributions local veterans have made on the battlefield, it shows every visitor that the struggle to protect our liberty and democracy at home and around the world never ceases.

Visiting our new memorial is a great way for parents to teach their children about what war is really all about; that real heroes have made tremendous sacrifices to defend us from those who would cause us harm. Sharing the stories of great courage under fire displayed by the men and women we honor, we can show our kids that our veterans fought so we could live in freedom and have the opportunity to achieve our dreams.

As we dedicate our new veterans’ memorial, we can’t help but reflect upon the more than 380 brave men and women from California who have lost their lives in Iraq. Our heroes made the ultimate sacrifice, fighting to protect our state and our country from our terrorist enemies on our soil and in the Middle East, for which we will always be grateful.

Monuments like these are really a testament to their bravery, and the outpouring of love and admiration we have for those who lose their lives in battle, and the soldiers still missing in action who have never come home. No words of comfort can ever truly fill the overwhelming void their family members have, but memorials like this one can help them take great pride in the fact that their loved ones gave their lives to defend the cause of freedom.

Our new veterans’ memorial is a powerful statement from the citizens of Costa Mesa, a monument to freedom erected entirely through generous donations from community members and local businesses. That one dime of taxpayer funds was used to construct the memorial shows the deep admiration and respect for our military and our veterans here at home.

One way that you can support the memorial project is to purchase a personalized pave brick, which will line the walkway along the memorial. Whether honoring a family member or a loved one who served in the military, purchasing a brick through the Costa Mesa Community Foundation (www.cm-fund.org) is a great way citizens can honor our veterans.

I’ve purchased a brick for the walkway to honor my uncle, a resident of Huntington Beach, who fought for the cause of freedom during the Vietnam War.

I hope you will join me on Aug. 5 at Harbor Lawn Memorial Park on Gisler Avenue as a grateful Costa Mesa community honors the memory of our nation’s veterans, and salutes them for a job well done.

represents the 68th Assembly District in the California Legislature.