Members of American Legion Palo Alto Post 375. (Photo: Post 375)
After years in limbo, a Veterans landmark in Palo Alto is finally being restored after local Legionnaires, Stanford University, and members of the public and local government came together to find an amicable solution.
Palo Alto’s Memorial Flagpole had stood for decades before it was severely damaged in 2020. To mitigate further damage, officials from Stanford University stored several memorial plaques on campus and erected a protective barrier.
Then First Vice Commander Ray Powell speaking at the HRB meeting in Palo Alto. (Photo: city of Palo Alto)
Enter Legionnaires of Palo Alto Post 375, who have long been charged with maintaining the Memorial Flagpole.
In light of Stanford’s protective measures, Post 375’s ability to maintain the Memorial Flagpole — which marks the entrance to the Veterans Memorial Building where the post regularly meets — was severely limited. After a lengthy back-and-forth between representatives of all parties, a decision was made at a Palo Alto Historic Resources Board meeting last April to restore the landmark and monitor Stanford’s efforts.
Past Commander Jere Romano was present at the HRB meeting to show The American Legion’s support for Post 375’s efforts. Powell made Post 375’s case that failing to restore the monument was a disservice to Veterans and the community at large. Then Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou agreed, encouraging restoration efforts.
Fast forward 17 months, and it has been announced that a fully restored Memorial Flagpole is set to be formally unveiled at a now-annual Veterans Day event this November jointly held between Post 375, Stanford University, and the city of Palo Alto — itself an achievement for the community.
Post 375 Commander Ray Powell was proud of the Legion Post’s role in having the Memorial Flagpole restored.
“This has been quite a journey for Post 375. We’re a numerically smaller post, but we have worked to integrate with our local community and its civic leadership to maximize our impact. Over the past three years, we have worked closely with the City of Palo Alto, Stanford University, and other community organizations to become Palo Alto’s most prolific veterans advocacy group. I’m so proud of our members and the difference we’ve been able to make.”
The California Legionnaire reached out to Stanford Director of Heritage Services and University Archaeologist Laura Jones, who worked with Post 375 and the city throughout the process.
Jones noted that ARG Conservation Services is overseeing restoration efforts, and the firm has an extensive portfolio restoring Veterans’ monuments, including monuments in Los Angeles National Cemetery and San Francisco National Cemetery. Jones added that the restoration team is reinforcing the underlying concrete and wooden structure that will support the plinth and plaques, and nearly all of the original materials have been saved and will be reinstalled. The only exception is the bottom frame of the plinth, which is being replaced with thicker metal in line with the landmark’s historic appearance.
“It will be stronger than it was and less vulnerable.”
ARG Conservation Services expects the process to be finished in early October, well before the joint Veterans Day event.
When asked about the significance of these restoration efforts, Post Commander Powell said, “in the end, this is a good-news story about the Legion and local leaders coming together and doing the right thing to restore an important monument for our veterans and our community.”
Powell also thanked Doria Summa, who helped Post 375 navigate the civil process to be heard at the Palo Alto HRB meeting. Summa, who is now running for Palo Alto City Council, was also happy to hear news of the Memorial Flagpole’s impending restoration.
“I am delighted that the monument will once again be on public display. It is important that Palo Alto publicly recognize those who risked their lives to defend our freedoms.”
Author: Christian Southards
Coming from a family with a proud military background and wanting to contribute his writing skills to a worthy cause, Christian began writing for the California American Legion in August of 2020. His father is a 25-year Army Veteran and his grandfather served in the Navy during Vietnam.
