Al Fonzi is the new veterans memorial president
Al Fonzi was elected in April to serve a two-year term as the Faces of Freedom Foundation president for which he’ll take office June 1.
Fonzi talks about the future of the county landmark
As Al Fonzi walks through the San Luis Obispo County Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial, located in Atascadero, he points to name after name listed on marble panels and shares the history of the people and their families. Righetti; Bonifas; Jenkins; Paddock … the names stand for someone who lost his or her life while serving in the United States military.
“There are lots and lots of stories here,” Fonzi said. “We’re not commemorating wars; we’re remembering those who died in service to our country. That’s what the memorial is all about — people.”
Fonzi was elected in April to serve a two-year term as the Faces of Freedom Foundation president for which he’ll take office June 1. Fonzi was one of the founding members of the organization when it began in 2006 and served as vice president at that time.
Fonzi himself is a war veteran having served in the United States military, 25 years in the Army as an officer and 11 years enlisted, from 1969 to 2006 when he retired as a lieutenant colonel. He said he has goals he wants to accomplish as president, many of which will help sustain the site into the future.
“My number one priority is to increase membership,” Fonzi said. “When we started, there were between 40 and 50 people involved. There were 20 at our last meeting.”
Some of Fonzi’s plans include supporting the foundation’s ongoing goal of reaching out to other veterans organizations to partner in their work to keep history alive.
“I want to expand the foundation to include other veterans’ organizations like the Veterans of Foreign War, the American Legion, Veterans of World Wars and The Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs,” Fonzi said. “We need support to sustain the memorial, and by getting other organizations involved, I think we can make that happen. The city of Atascadero has already been very supportive, the Atascadero Police and their police volunteers have been invaluable during all of our events.”
That’s the how of it. The why includes ensuring that everyone knows about the history of their country.
“We want to educate young people about the history involved,” Fonzi said. “I want people to want to bring their kids here, to bring their families here. Once you see the memorial in person, it’s a big deal. I’ve been all around this country and short of a national monument or battlefield, you’re not going to see anything like this.”
In addition to county residents’ names listed on marble, there are vast pathways of bricks purchased by individuals for $100 each to remember others. Some hold a simple message of thanks.
“This is what built this memorial, these bricks that people bought,” Fonzi said. “There are thousands of them.”
The veterans memorial will hold a public ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. followed by a barbecue on Monday, May 25 at the site located at 8024 Portola Road in Atascadero. For more information, go to www.facesoffreedommemorial.org.
-Paula McCambridge
