Corona City unveils newly reconstructed Veterans Memorial at public dedication

Corona City held a public dedication ceremony to unveil its newly reconstructed Veterans Memorial. Community members, veterans' organizations, volunteers and city leaders gathered for remarks, a presentation of colors, an invocation, the national anthem, a wreath laying and a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Mary Anne Sherman, introduced at the podium as a Blue Star Mother, said the memorial was the fulfillment of a long-held hope. "My dream was that our wonderful city of Corona would one day have an honorable place for veterans to come and reflect," Sherman said, thanking volunteers, veterans and city staff who helped plan the project.

Mayor Jim Steiner described the project as intentionally designed for reflection and education and thanked the city staff, contractors and partner organizations who managed the work. "This memorial is more than just concrete, stone and landscaping," Steiner said. He outlined key features added during the improvement project: a new plaza with a 14-foot-diameter etched emblem, amphitheater-style seating with landscaping, six new 35-foot flagpoles representing branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, three additional flagpoles in a covered cove area, a 55-foot pole for the American flag and two 45-foot poles for the California and POW-MIA flags.

Veterans groups took part in the ceremony. An honor guard presented the colors and singer Johnny Griffiths performed the national anthem. The emcee invited Gold Star Mothers to lay a wreath "as a symbol of remembrance, gratitude, and eternal honor for all who have served," highlighting that the memorial will serve as a place for reflection and for school groups to learn from veterans.

Speakers named several organizations and individuals involved in planning and construction, including the Corona Elks Lodge, Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Mothers, designers IDS Group of Irvine, and contractor Venture Construction and Management. City staff recognized by officials included Tracy Martin, public works project manager, and Rachel McClure, CFE supervisor; project volunteers and local contributors such as Tom Sherman, Johnny Griffiths, Richard Cortez and Don Kindred were also thanked.

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting to officially unveil the site, and the city acknowledged donations from local businesses that supported the event. Attendees were invited to remain for refreshments following the dedication.

The memorial—intended as a lasting place of honor, reflection and education—will be open to the public for visits and school activities, officials said.