The San Dimas H.E.R.O.E.S will hold its unveiling and dedication of the completed Veterans’ Monument at 5:30 p.m. on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, in Freedom Park on San Dimas Avenue between Arrow Highway and Bonita Avenue.
The dedication ceremony will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil more than 50 veterans’ names engraved on the newly-constructed north wall and a symbolic rising of all the flags at the monument.
A mural designed by San Dimas High School art teacher Dominic Black and painted with the help of his art students is planned to be in place for the monument dedication. It will be on the newly-constructed south wall of the monument, which will not be needed for the addition of veterans’ names until after the north wall has been completely filled.
HEROES, Helping Establish a Remembrance of Every Serviceperson, is proud that Black and his art students took on the project. He is a professional artist with a proven track record, as the Veterans Monument Mural Project is his fourth San Dimas Student Art Public Project.
All of the public schools in San Dimas worked hard to raise money for the monument. The project will provide the students more pride and ownership as they become the caregivers of tomorrow.
Country Western singer Amy Scruggs and her band will perform after the dedication ceremony. She was raised in San Dimas and her son Ryan was born here. Ryan plays lead guitar and is credited with writing much of their new music.
Scruggs has been singing since the age of 3. While in Nashville, she caught the attention of industry professionals with her powerful vocals and passion for supporting the troops. She was featured in the July 2009 issue of Country Weekly Magazine as well as the December 2009 cover story for Nashville Music Guide. She has overcome tremendous circumstances and obstacles and uses that to bring hope and encouragement through her music.
The singer’s patriotism shines through in her traditional version of the National Anthem, which she performed at Dodger Stadium in 2011 for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.
Since 2008, Scruggs has opened for many country music greats, including Trace Adkins, Clint Black, Charlie Daniels, Little Texas, Hal Katchum, Phil Vassar and Josh Gracin.
Her song “Coming Home” is a celebration song for heroes. She was officially endorsed by the American Veterans Service Foundation of California from 2009 through 2011, and performs upon request at events honoring veterans and heroes while continuing to appear at speaking engagements. She continues outreach to the veterans community and women’s and children’s organizations.
The event will include food from the Carl’s Jr. Star Diner, as well as a beer garden. Proceeds will go to the HEROES Monument project.