Pasadena Vietnam War Veterans Pay Tribute to Fallen Heroes

Local Vietnam War veterans have honored their brothers and sisters who have died in service to their country

Army veteran and Vietnam Veterans of America Pasadena Chapter 446 President Alan Stelzer said his group talked about having a Memorial Day service but thought it was in everyone’s best interest not to have a public event at Memorial Park.

“I was going to have my family just come there incognito and lay the wreath, and I got a call and they wanted to be involved,” Stelzer told Pasadena Now. “So I decided that I would have a citizen put the wreath.”

He called on The Flowerman owner Lou Quismorio to do the honors, placing the wreath on an easel at the memorial.

“I have no fear of anything. Just common sense to protect everyone,” Stelzer said. “To have an event there … would not be appropriate.”

Pasadena’s Vietnam War Memorial was originally dedicated in the City Hall Rotunda in 1993, but was rededicated in Memorial Park in 2004.

You can read about the history of Pasadena’s Vietnam War Memorial from former mayor Bill Paparian, at https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/guest-opinion-remarks-at-the-dedication-of-the-pasadena-vietnam-veterans-memorial/.

For a list of all the public memorials and monuments in Pasadena, go to https://www.cityofpasadena.net/about-pasadena/public-memorials-and-monuments/.