City officials are asking for the public's help in reviewing names of Santa Monicans who are going to be included on a new commemorative wall to be built at Woodlawn Cemetery.
The memorial will recognize those who served in one of the country's military branches and who perished while on active duty during a conflict.
City officials have collected the names of over 90 people for inclusion, and are actively seeking anybody who may be missing from the list.
The names are organized by conflict and can be found on the cemetery's website at smgov.net/departments/cemetery.
The criteria developed for inclusion in the wall are inclusive, which reflect the desire to honor all those from Santa Monica that died while serving in a time of war or other foreign conflict, no matter the circumstance. The criteria are, someone who:
• Was born or lived in Santa Monica and died while in service during a time of war, in combat or otherwise, after Santa Monica was established as a city (1875);
• Had a Santa Monica address when they died while in service during a time of war or other foreign conflict, in combat or otherwise;
• Died while in service during war or other foreign conflict, in combat or otherwise, and chose to be interred in Santa Monica.
In describing the genesis of the project, Councilmember Bob Holbrook said, "It would be nice to commemorate these people so that when Memorial Day services are held, people can remember those who were lost, husbands, sons and daughters of Santa Monica."
The fundraising effort for the monument started last May at the Memorial Day remembrance, held at Woodlawn, and the goal is to complete the project and install the wall in time for next Memorial Day, on May 26, 2014. City Hall has received pledges and contributions totaling over $12,000 to date, which represents over two thirds of the total estimated cost of the project, city officials said in a news release.
