“We, meaning myself, our school, community, state and country, owe our way of life to the veterans who have protected this great country for so many years. I want those who gave much to know that our Northridge community acknowledges and appreciates what they have done,” said alumni Mike Mescher of Dayton. He is a 1958 Northridge graduate.
He began working on the project concept last winter by looking into various aspects including designs, artwork, wording and location. He reviewed the plan with the district business manager before making the presentation to the board of education.
The proposal calls for placement of a lighted black granite memorial with matching benches and flagpole on the grounds of the high school stadium. The names of alumni veterans who have died will be etched on the memorial.
Mescher proposed raising money for the memorial and site construction. Funds will be needed on an ongoing basis to add names of veterans over coming years.
He is asking veterans groups, businesses, school organizations, community groups and anyone who believes that honoring veterans is a worthwhile function to make a donation. Fellow Northridge alumnus Jesse Spurlock, class of 1964, is assisting with the project along with several other volunteers.
All donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made to The Northridge Sauer Tarzinski Education Fund (STEF), a group of alumni who Mescher said agreed to manage finances at no cost to the project.
The names of alumni veterans are being compiled on the alumni website at www.northridgealumni.org. The list has around 400 names and denotes those who are decreased. Mescher also is asking anyone with information about other alumni veterans to send it to him via the website.
The website also includes a donation form and a graphic showing the progress toward the $15,000 project goal.
“I hope that everyone will participate in helping this memorial become a reality and be appreciative of those it honors,” Mescher said.
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