Poway honors veterans and rededicates its ‘Freedom Bell’
by Pomerado News
Poway Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7907 held a Veterans Day ceremony that included the rededication of Poway’s Freedom Bell.
The Nov. 11 ceremony was held at the Poway Veterans Memorial, across from Old Poway Park.
The bell was repaired after it was damaged a year ago when its wood platform crumbled. It was reinstalled at the memorial on Oct. 31 on a cement platform.
The ceremony also marked the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Poway Veterans Memorial. The guest speaker was former Poway City Councilmember Jim Cunningham. The Air Force JROTC Unit at Scripps Ranch High School served as the color guard.
During the ceremony, three memorial bricks recently installed in the park were unveiled to honor Robert W. Artigo, who served in the U.S. Army, along with Christopher A. Baker and DJ Chasen, who both served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Longtime Poway volunteer Chuck Cross (president of the Poway Veteran’s Park Committee and member of the Fleet Reserve), reads the new plaques that were installed. Cross is one of the two remaining veterans who were original members of the Veterans Park Committee. The other is Don Stonesifer. (Criselda Yee)
Some attendees were seated on the lower lawn, surrounding the park. (Criselda Yee)
Butch Beltain, Sr. Vice Commander VFW Post 7907; Bill Kimble, Commander, VFW Post 7907 and Paula Jansen, VFW Sr. Vice Commander (CA). (Criselda Yee)
Richard MacMootry, of VFW Post 7907, holds up the 15th Anniversary Poway Veterans Park T-shirt that was a gift to all attendees from former City Councilmember Jim Cunningham. (Criselda Yee)
1 of 4
Longtime Poway volunteer Chuck Cross (president of the Poway Veteran’s Park Committee and member of the Fleet Reserve), reads the new plaques that were installed. Cross is one of the two remaining veterans who were original members of the Veterans Park Committee. The other is Don Stonesifer. (Criselda Yee)
Members of Poway Cub Scout Pack 109. (Criselda Yee)
From left, Butch Beltrain (VFW Post 7907 Sr. Vice Commander); guest speaker Jim Cunningham (former Poway City Councilmember and major supporter of the development of the Poway Veterans Park) and Bill Kimble (Commander, VFW Post 7907). Cunningham spoke of the significance and history of each of the monuments in the Veterans Park, and celebrated the 15th anniversary of the park by providing specially printed T-shirts free to all attendees of the ceremony. (Criselda Yee)
Chuck Cross rings the newly repaired and reinstalled Poway Freedom Bell. (Criselda Yee)
The Scripps Ranch High School Color Guard with Noelle Tyner singing the National Anthem behind them at the podium. (Criselda Yee)
Chuck Cross announced that they were honored to have a 101-year-old World War II veteran in the audience. Bob Newhouse served in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge (officially “The Ardennes Counteroffensive”). From left, Bob and Michele Newhouse (both in red shirts). They were visiting from New Jersey at the invitation of their daughter, Poway resident Becky Trachsel. (Criselda Yee)
1 of 5
Members of Poway Cub Scout Pack 109. (Criselda Yee)
Bill Kimble, left, and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. (Criselda Yee)
Jim Cunningham recognized veterans of all the branches of U.S. military and their families. (Criselda Yee)
From left, Paula Jansen, VFW Sr. Vice Commander (CA); Linda Pool holding her daughter, Gracie; Angie Kelly and Noel Gilchrist, volunteering at the VFW Veterans Day information table. (Criselda Yee)
The National Anthem is performed by Noelle Tyner. (Criselda Yee)
1 of 4
Bill Kimble, left, and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus. (Criselda Yee)
