The Virtual Wall - Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Today, received this email from Luana Scott (BHS '67) which has a link to an amazing website. It gives ALL the names and info of those we lost in Viet Nam by last name and by city. Thanks so much Luana.

Quite impressive... God rest their souls.... Thought you might like to post this on your blog. I did look up Bill Bric. Someone really put a lot of work into this.
Cheers, ^jj^ ;o)) Luana

First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city and the names will appear. Then click on their names. It should show you a picture of the person, or at least their bio and medals. Be sure to click on the “Profile” or “Data Base” link. This really is an amazing web site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it. I hope that everyone who receives this appreciates what those who served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country. The link below is a virtual wall of all those lost during the Vietnam war with the names, bio's and other information on our lost heroes. Those who remember that timeframe, or perhaps lost friends or family can look them up on this site. Pass the link on to others if you like: virtualwall.org

We lost way too many from Burbank:
SSGT JAMES MARVIN BALL
SP4 STEVEN PAUL BARNETT
PH2 CHRISTOPHER PAUL BATTAGLIA
LCDR JAMES ALVIN BEENE
SP4 EDWARD ALLEN BELL
PFC WILLIAM HENRY BRIC III
SGT FELIX ANTONIO CALDERON
SP4 ROBERT JOHN CAMPBELL
CPT DONALD EDWARD CLOSE
SGT MICHAEL JOSEPH CORRIGAN
SP4 JOHN ALBERT DE ROO
LTC FRANK ANTHONY DI FIGLIA
SP4 REESE CURRENTI ELIA Jr
PFC TERRY MICHAEL ENRIQUEZ
SP4 JAMES HERBERT FLICKINGER
PFC STEVEN DAVID FRANCIS
CPL JOHN ANTHONY GERO
LCPL WAYNE EDWIN HALSTEAD
MAJ STEPHEN PAUL HANSON
CPL SCOTT WARREN IGGULDEN
PFC DOUGLAS RAY JOHNSON
SP4 GEORGE FREDERICK KEIPER
CPL RONALD REED KING
CPL HOWARD LEE KLENSKE
SGT EDWARD L KRAUSMAN
CAPT VON MILES LIEBERNECHT
PFC STEPHEN DONALD PLEASANT
PFC WILLIAM C PROCTOR Jr
PFC PAUL VINCENZO QUAGLIERI
LCPL CHARLES PETER SEARLES
SGT GUENTER ROBERT THONUES
SP4 JACK PYEATT WILSON Jr

Los Angeles
PFC DOUGLAS LOUIS DISPENSIERO

Glendale
CPL LARRY LEONARD MAXAM

CLICK HERE and scroll down to see more names at the Burbank Memoriam.

But speaking of Larry Maxam, this Saturday, April 17, 2010, will be the dedication of the Larry Maxam Park in Burbank (details), so please attend if in town.

This photo is from the 1965 Ceralbus when Larry was in 11th grade.


This was Larry's home when he lived in Burbank growing up.


And today there was this Burbank Leader news article:

Vice President Spiro Agnew presents the Maxam family with a posthumous Medal of Honor for Marine Cpl. Larry L. Maxam on April 20, 1970. From left are Cpl. Maxam's mother Alice Maxam, brother Robin Maxam and in-law Sophie Ryan. (Courtesy of the Maxam family)

Ceremony honors slain Marine

Pacific Park will be renamed to commend Medal of Honor recipient, who was killed in the Vietnam War.

By Christopher Cadelago
Burbank Leader
Published: Last Updated Wednesday, April 14, 2010 11:38 AM PDT
source

WEST BURBANK — Forty-two years after Marine Cpl. Larry L. Maxam made the ultimate sacrifice, Burbank officials are preparing to dedicate a public park in recognition of the city’s only Medal of Honor recipient.

Dignitaries at 11 a.m. Saturday will rename Pacific Park at 3715 Pacific Ave. in honor of Maxam, who was posthumously awarded the medal by President Nixon for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” in the Vietnam War.

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award. And while Maxam died in a war many tried to forget, one veteran, Mickey DePalo, has made it his mission over the last 1 1/2 years to give the hero — and other troops — their due.

“There’s one school of thought that says this should have been done a long time ago. My opinion is it’s never too late,” said DePalo, chairman of the city’s Veterans Commemorative Committee, which recommended the dedication to city and parks officials. “We’re able to live today because of people like him.”

Born in Glendale, Maxam attended Burbank schools before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1965 . He arrived in Vietnam two years later and served as a rifleman, radioman and squad leader with Company D, 1st Battalion 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division.

On Feb. 2, 1968, four months after Maxam was promoted to corporal, Cam Lo District Headquarters came under heavy artillery and gun fire. Wounded by fragments of exploding grenades, he ran to an abandoned machine gun and fired on advancing forces.

“As the enemy directed maximum firepower against the determined Marine, Cpl. Maxam’s position received a direct hit from a rocket-propelled grenade, knocking him backwards and inflicting severe fragmentation wounds to his face and right eye,” according to the citation that accompanied the medal.

Maxam returned to his feet and kept firing.

He was hit again with small-arms fire but kept firing, causing the enemy to retreat.

Then, in an attempt to silence his weapon, North Vietnamese inflicted two more wounds with hand grenades and rifle fire.

“Too weak to reload his machine gun, Cpl. Maxam fell to a prone position and valiantly continued to deliver effective fire with his rifle. After 1 1/2 hours, during which he was hit repeatedly by fragments from exploding grenades and concentrated small-arms fire, he succumbed to his wounds, having successfully defended nearly half of the perimeter single-handedly,” according to the citation.

“He just did what was right, but for him to size up the situation and do what he had to do to protect his fellow Marines was extraordinary,” said his first cousin, Gary Saldutti.

“I don’t know that a lot of people would do what he did.”

Saldutti plans to reunite with Maxam’s brother and sister, who live in Australia, for the first time in 40 years. Their mother, Alice Maxam, was not about to lose another son to battle in Vietnam, so the family moved as far away from the U.S. as possible, Saldutti said.

Alice Maxam died in 2008.

In Burbank, dozens of Marines, including a handful who fought alongside Larry Maxam, will watch as the family is presented with an American flag. The dedication will include park signage and a bronze plaque containing the full citation.

The event speaks to the city’s long-standing commitment to honoring veterans through annual celebrations, personalized banners and a program that has delivered more than 40 tons of health and comfort items to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, said Burbank Mayor Gary Bric, whose brother, William, died in Vietnam the same year as Larry Maxam.

Saldutti said he began to dig deeper into the story of Larry Maxam’s sacrifice after connecting with Sherman Fleek, historian for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Fleek was researching Medal of Honor recipients for a 40-page chapter in his book tentatively titled: “Corporal Larry Maxam, the Lionheart: And the Defense of Cam Lo.”

Three years ago, when Saldutti and his wife were expecting a son, they began to ponder possible names. Leafing through documents provided by the family, Saldutti said they came upon a letter that alluded to troops and commanders referring to Larry Maxam as “Max.”

“That kind of stuck,” Saldutti said. “My wife said, ‘There it is. Let’s name him Max.’ He has a lot to live up to.”

Larry Maxam Park Dedication, 17 April 2010

Robin and Linda Maxam, Receive Flag Honoring their Brother, MOH Receipient. Photo by John Boylan (more pics)

Wes Clark also has a wonderful presentation of the day's events. CLICK HERE to see.

Just received this email and photos from Cathy Nicholls Coyle ('67) - thanks Cathy!

Last Saturday, John & I attended the wonderful heartfelt Ceremony the City put on for the Dedication of the new Larry L. Maxam Park (formerly Pacific Park.)


When we first approached the tent area we were given Dedication Programs and commemorative coins:



There were many dignitaries there to recognize Larry's valor and sacrifice for his country including: R. Lee Ermey; Calif State Senator Carol Liu; Congressman Adam Schiff; the Burbank Councilmembers and some top ranking officials from the United States Marine Corps.


Samatha Morales, from John Muir Middle School, read her winning essay on "What the Medal of Honor means" and the First Battalian, Division 4 presented their "Battalion Motivation Logo" with Larry Maxam's profile:



Larry's Marine Photo and Citation were presented:


There was a stirring military 21 gun salute:


Two flags were folded in a time honored military tradition to be handed out to Larry's brother, Robin, and sister, Linda:




Larry's Viet Nam Marine Corps Company & Mickey DePalo, MC, posed behind the Memorial for photos:


Other attendees were:

Mike McDaniel ('74); & Dona Foy Bruckner talking to Linda Maxam ('68):


Linda Mustion ('67), signing the Guest Book:


Don Baldesaroni ('67) and his wife, Sue:


Mike Ranshaw ('66) also signing the guest book:


Scott Bruckner; Greg Alaimo & Bruce Keswick (all '66):


Joan ('67) & Freddy Ortega ('65) & their son, Michael:


John ('65) & I and Pam & Jon Kirkwood (both '64):


and George Colvin ('65), who wanted his photo taken with R. Lee Ermey:


I also saw Al Thouette at the Dedication. He told me that he and Gil Uribe ('66) were there the day Larry Maxam said that he was leaving school and joining the Marines. Here's a photo from the 2008 JBHS/BHS Alumni Picnic: Al Thouette '67, Jim Knight '66 and Gil Uribe '66.


As we were leaving John was given a special treat from Patricia Walmisley, Burbank Veterans Commemorative Committee, who shook his hand and thanked him for his service to his country.


All in all, it was a beautiful ceremony and a great tribute to Larry's bravery and sacrifice to his country.

I knew Larry Maxam when we both attended John Muir Jr. High. It was 1963 and I was in 8th grade and he was in 9th. He would often walk me and my sister home from school. We attended the local dances and I would often dance with him. We weren't boyfrend and girlfriend; after all, I was only 13. But I remember that he had a great sense of humor, that he was very handsome, and always a gentleman . Since he enlisted into the Marines when he was in the 11th grade, I didn't see much of him. But I do remember seeing him in the hallways and saying "Hi." I know there are very many of his classmates and alumni from Burbank High School that have stories to tell about what kind of friend and person he was. Some of those friends were at the Dedication. I feel blessed that I was able to spend a brief time in my life with such a valiant and brave soul. Rest in Peace Larry. You truly deserve a special place in our City and in our hearts.
Cathy Nicholls Coyle

4/20/10 UPDATE:
CLICK HERE to see Linda Mustion's post which has more great photos!

5/18/10 UPDATE:
Thanks to Wes Clark & Mike McDaniel, HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT of Lt. Col. John B. Lang's Remarks for the Maxam Park Dedication, 17 April 2010.

And HERE are Mike McDaniel's photos of the day's events - thanks Mike!

April 17, 2010: Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony

The "Larry L. Maxam Memorial Park Dedication Ceremony" will be on Saturday, April 17 at 11:00am @ Pacific Park, 3715 Pacific Avenue, Bubank, CA.

If you are on Facebook, see more details and RSVP HERE.


Larry Maxam (BHS '66)

Larry L. Maxam - Wikipedia

JANUARY 17, 2012 UPDATE



"On April 17, 2010, the city of Burbank honored the memory of my cousin, Larry L. Maxam, by naming a park after him. It was a wonderful ceremony where hundreds turned out to pay their respects to this brave Marine. The ceremony was attended by several surviving members from the battle where Larry lost his life. The battle at Cam Lo. Larry is the only Burbank native ever to receive the Medal of Honor."

Update on Larry Maxam Park Dedication for Memorial Day

The dedication/re-naming of Pacific Park for Larry Maxam (Medal of Honor Recipient) on May 25th at 11am at first sounded like the ceremony would be at Pacific Park but according to Mickey DePalo, it will be held at McCambridge Park.

Thanks Pam for the clarification!


source

2/6/09 Proposal presented to Burbank City Council


source

Larry L. Maxam - Wikipedia

JANUARY 17, 2012 UPDATE



"On April 17, 2010, the city of Burbank honored the memory of my cousin, Larry L. Maxam, by naming a park after him. It was a wonderful ceremony where hundreds turned out to pay their respects to this brave Marine. The ceremony was attended by several surviving members from the battle where Larry lost his life. The battle at Cam Lo. Larry is the only Burbank native ever to receive the Medal of Honor."

Class of '66 Update

Linda Schuster Mazur (email) sends out updates to the '66 alumni and below are a few items starting with these classic pics from Ken Markham!

Ken wrote, "Here's a picture taken in 1964 of Dave Dupree, George Key, my neighbor and oldest friend, Kelly Hughes, and myself. Heading out to go surfing in my 49 Chevy. 45 years later and I've never owned another Chevy, lots of Fords. Second picture is for the car buffs, Me, at eighteen with my 55 Ford."


l-r: Dave Durpee, George Key, Ken Markham & Kelly Hughes




Regarding Larry Maxim '66

From Jim McGillis: "I am glad that I read down to the part about Larry Maxam. Since seeing it, I made a personal commitment to attend the dedication ceremony on Memorial Day. I did know Larry Maxam and he was a wonderful person. When I wrote "WindSong" (my life story), I included a passage regarding Larry. Attached is a revised version of that story: http://www.jamesmcgillis.com/default.asp?id=115. For those who do not remember Larry, this may stir their own memories or perhaps strike a chord in their hearts. Please feel free to share my text with the entire class. Larry deserves our recognition." (Editor's note: After reading it, click on "Comments" below it, to read what others have shared about Larry.)


From Deanne Adams: "I knew Larry Maxam very well. In fact, he took it upon himself to be sure I was safe. He went to the same church as I did and whenever we had a dance, he was close by to be sure the young men treated me kindly. He was always kind to me and made me feel very special. I felt badly that I wasn't more attentive to him, as a friend. He was just a good guy. When I read about his heroic deeds during the VietNam war, I was so proud of him. He had a big heart and cared deeply about other people. I wish I could be there for the dedication of the park. Who knows? I still might come down, but I'll have to see what is happening at that time. Thank you for the update on classmates. We haven't escaped the trials of life, have we?"

From Eddie Morton: "Thanks for the update. I knew Larry had been killed in action because I had read about it in the Burbank Review back in '68. It was around Tet of '68. About 10 years ago, I was in D.C. and read in something at the Library of Congress that he had been killed at "Monkey Mountain" a little west of Da Nang. I spent time in both places. I'm glad he's getting the recognition he deserves."

NOTE: This Memorial day, Monday, May 25, there will be a dedication for the new "Larry Maxam Park" (formerly Pacific Park) at Burbank's Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at McCambridge Park at 11 am (link).


And finally, we are sad to read that Allen Kuszewski passed away on March 23, 2009, from cardiopulmonary arrest and renal insufficiency. We pray for his family...


Click Here to the BHS Class '66 blog. Thanks Linda!

Memorial Day Report

UPDATE Linda Mustion has an update on the Larry Maxam Park, so be sure to check out her blog here. ORIGINAL POST Thanks Cathy Nicholls Coyle for the update! John and I attended the McCambridge Memorial Day Service yesterday (Monday). There were a lot of BHS alumni there; especially from the class of '66. Linda Schuster Mazur had sent notices out to her classmates to attend the Memorial Day Service since they would be mentioning the dedication of Pacific Park in the name of Larry L. Maxam. The '66 attendees that I saw there were: Ron Franzen; Mel Barnes; Randy Boeing; and Gil Uribe. Our classmates that attended were: Linda Mustion; Beverly Bullock; Kent Barcus, Al Thouette and myself. And of course, Pam and Jon Kirkwood ('64) were there too! We were told that Larry Maxam's Mother, sister (Linda) and brother (Robin) had moved to Australia shortly after Larry was killed. They found out that Larry's mother died about six months ago but they would try to fly out his brother and sister for the actual dedication of the park in the fall of 2009. It was a very nice ceremony. The new Mayor, Gary Bric, was there doing most of the speaking; along with Mickey DePalo ('64). Gary Bric mentioned that his brother, our classmate, Bill Bric, had been killed after just six weeks in Viet Nam. He told us that Bill was a Green Beret and that 17 Green Berets had been killed that day. Which to this day is the highest number of Green Berets ever killed in one day! Mayor Gary Bric BHS '70 He also told us that there was a book written about his brother. The author was with Bill when he was killed. Gary said that he still has trouble reading only a few short exerpts from it. The name of the book is: On the Ground - The Secret War in Viet Nam. If anyone would like to read the book here is the information: Online Book Store - The Secret War in Vietnam

Today is Armed Forces Day

Larry Maxam (1948-1968)

Richard Crescitelli maintains memorial websites for both Burbank and Burroughs High Schools - here is the link.

At the BHS site, if you scroll down to near the end and put your mouse over the blue band that says, "Larry Leonard Maxam - Viet Nam - Medal of Honor - USMC Citation", you can hear Taps being played - very cool!

Then click on the blue band and this will take you to Wes Clark's website where you can read more about Larry Maxam, a fellow classmate who left school in '64 and enlisted in '65. (read more here)

A week from Monday is Memorial day and for those of you who live in or near Burbank, this is from the BHS Centennial website

BHS War Memorial Ceremony
(May 26, 2008)

On Memorial Day 2008 (May 26), Burbank High School, in conjunction with the City of Burbank, will hold a ceremony to rededicate the war memorial that was originally created following World War II. The bronze plaque displays the names of Burbank High School students who gave their lives during the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Please join us for this important event.

Memorial Day Ceremony - McCambridge Park 11:00 am

* Will feature students from Burbank High School's Vocal and Instrumental Music Associations.

War Memorial Re-dedication and Open House - Burbank High School Auditorium foyer

* Please join us between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Memorial Day in and around Burbank

In solemn remembrance

Memorial Day events honor those who have fought for the United States of America.

By Christopher Cadelago
Burbank Leader
Published: Last Updated Monday, May 25, 2009 11:56 PM PDT
source

BURBANK — For hundreds of local residents who turned out to Memorial Day ceremonies across Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge, the hours of tribute — complete with bagpipes, benedictions, names of fallen service members, patriotic hymns and roses — serve as an annual exercise in remembrance.

But for Liam McKenna, a second-grader at St. Finbar School, such an exercise takes place weekly.

“Every Sunday, I take a marble from the ‘Iraq’ circle and put it in the ‘home’ pile,” said Liam, dressed from head to toe in Army fatigues and wearing his dad’s rank, Sgt. 1st Class. “I wear the uniform because it reminds me of my dad in Iraq. There’s 11 marbles left, 11 weeks left.”

McKenna joined hundreds of Burbank residents, soldiers and government officials at the city’s official ceremony where members of the Veterans Commemorative Committee read the names of nearly 300 local troops who died serving in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq while Boy Scouts placed roses atop the memorials.

A musical prelude gave way to a flyover by the Condor Squadron. In Glendale, Vietnam veteran Steve Malmberg browsed the Glendale Veterans Memorial, dedicated in 1997. Master of Ceremonies Larry Zarian welcomed the somber crowd to the corner of Isabel Street and East Broadway with opening remarks oozing with patriotism.

“It makes me proud to not only be an American,” he said. “It makes me proud to be a citizen of Glendale.”

Mayor Frank Quintero followed the color guard, flag salute and prisoner of war-missing in action memorial, presented by retired Lt. Col. Dave Worley, of the U.S. Air Force, with a reminder to employers, particularly in this dire economy, to hire veterans.

“All over Memorial Day is about more than just hot dogs and having a great time,” he said. “Let’s continue to work with the veterans, and let’s keep the returning veterans in mind.”

The morning of reminiscence was also an opportunity to remember those who never returned from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To date, more than 4,900 U.S. troops have died while serving in the two countries, 537 of them from California, according to records kept by the Los Angeles Times.

The mounting casualties have caused Lt. Col. Raffi Najarian, a Glendale resident and dental officer in the California Air National Guard, to every day gaze in the mirror at 6:30 a.m. and ask himself the same question.

“Why did I come home?” said Najarian, who in 2003 was named California National Guard Medical Officer of the Year and in 2004 was named California Air National Guard Field Grade Officer of the Year. “Why isn’t my name on that wall? Why is this name on the wall?”

At times, the guilt nearly overcomes him, Najarian said, until he remembers all of those parents, spouses, children and friends who have lost loved ones in battle.

“Their loss will not be in vain,” he said. “Their dedication will not be for naught.”

The Crescenta Valley High School Charismatics struck up its rendition of “America the Beautiful” before members of the high school’s Air Force Jr. ROTC program took part in the laying of the roses.

Residents in La Cañada Flintridge capped off a weekend of ceremonies, including a tribute at nearby Vietnam War Memorial in the Montrose Shopping Center, with the 34th Annual Fiesta Days Run. The event has become a prelude to tributes in downtown Glendale and at Forest Lawn-Glendale, where the 94th annual Memorial Day March began at the Little Church of the Flowers and proceeded to the burial site of a soldier who served in the Civil War.

The Burbank event was highlighted by a tribute to Cpl. Larry L. Maxam, of the U.S. Marine Corps, a recipient of the Medal of Honor who died fighting in Vietnam. The City Council last week approved plans to rename Pacific Park after Larry L. Maxam in the fall.

Rep. Adam Schiff discussed legislation he introduced this year paying tribute to the Japanese American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their service in World War II by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal, and Assemblyman Paul Krekorian implored those in attendance to harness the can-do spirit of troops to move the country forward.

Mayor Gary Bric spoke briefly about his brother, William H. Bric III, a Green Beret who died in 1968 in Vietnam. Bric held up a book about the war, saying he never had a chance to read it.

“I had a chance,” he said. “I just can’t do it.”

--- end ---

Also be sure to check out James McGillis BHS '66 who has a nice article about Larry Maxam on his website here.

Last Day with the Bruckners & Burbank Nostalgia

Yesterday, Sunday, my gracious hosts and wonderful friends, Scott and Dona Foy Bruckner (BHS '66 & '67) took me to Olvera Street in Los Angeles before dropping me off at the Burbank airport.

We parked at Union Station which is where Scott comes when he takes the train to work. What a cool building!












Across the street is the lively and fun Olvera Street.






We had a delcious Mexican lunch...


... followed by yummy sweet churros!


We then drove around to look at some of the LA architecture








This is where Scott works


He has a great view of the city


Check out the jazzy Walt Disney Concert Hall






Los Angeles City Hall


Los Angeles River


LA Central High School


My mother went to LA High but it sure didn't look like this - lol!






Then we hopped on the freeway to head back to Burbank


Joaquin Miller Elementary School - my alma mater!


The same auditorium building!


Miller's playground




Sara (BHS '67) and Carol (BHS '68) Marino lived across the street from the school


Two doors up lived Johnny Marie Solomon (BHS '68). Dona has reconnected with Johnny who now lives in Arizona.


Jeanne Barron's (BHS '67) former house on the corner of Providencia and Kenneth Road.


My former house on Tujunga near Bel Aire


Amazing house on Ninth and Verdugo




House on Angeleno and Ninth where they gave Hershey candy bars on Halloween which Dona and I both remember. They also had a giant parrot when we were kids.


Two unique houses made of stone on Olive Avenue and Ninth Street


The Nicholls family home on Olive Avenue just below Bel Aire where I enjoyed visiting twins Carol and Cathy


Larry Maxam's house when he was in high school. April 17, 2010 is the Larry Maxam Park Dedication (info)


'The Little Store' - one of the few remaining left in Burbank!


Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School - both Scott and Dona went here


Looks the same!


The Emerson playground


John Muir Junior High (now John Muir Middle School)


Burbank High School






Thanks so much Scott and Dona. Good-bye for now... but I will be back!