ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - After 17 years of planning, the veterans’ tribute at Elk Grove Regional Park is expanding into a regional landmark to honor and memorialize veterans. 

A groundbreaking ceremony was held June 19 to launch the next phase of the Elk Grove Regional Veterans Memorial, a community-supported project funded brick by brick.

The Cosumnes Community Services District and the Cosumnes Legacy Foundation hosted the event, unveiling design renderings and encouraging public involvement.

New features will include a bronze star monument with a flagpole, 50 concrete memorial stars, a granite donor walk and a veterans’ memorial wall shaped like a waving American flag. The site aims to be a space for honoring veterans, both living and deceased, and for events such as the Veterans Day Parade.

It is located to the north of the White Diamond ball field at Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove Florin Road.

Representatives from local agencies attended, including the police department, school district, the chamber of commerce and offices of elected officials. Veterans groups American Legion Elk Grove Post 55 and Post 233 were present, with honor guards assisting in the Presenting of the Colors.

Oscar O’Con of the Cosumnes Legacy Foundation, a U.S. Army and Marine veteran, spoke first. 

O’Con said the effort began in 2008 when, as the Elk Grove Rotary Club president, he saw a need for a place to recognize the thousands of veterans living in the city. 

He has led this effort for nearly two decades, continually raising awareness and funds for the project. 

 

Oscar O’Con of the Cosumnes Legacy Foundation, a U.S. Army and Marine veteran, speaks during the June 19 groundbreaking at Elk Grove Regional Park for the next phase of the regional veterans’ memorial project. Photo courtesy of Cosumnes Community Services District

This memorial is one of only five in the nation where living veterans can be honored, O’Con said.

“Here, you’ll be able to bring your mother, your father, your brother or whoever is a veteran and show them either a brick or paver on the wall,” O’Con said. 

The project is community-driven and a reflection of local pride and participation, according to O’Con.

“This is your project, so please get involved,” he said. 

Cosumnes Community Services President Angela Spease then approached the podium and explained how this project holds a special place in her heart as a daughter, wife, aunt and niece of veterans. 

Spease shared that she purchased bricks for her family members who served, including her husband (and City Councilmember) Kevin Spease, who served in the California Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. 

“Elk Grove Park is the perfect spot for this memorial. It’s the heart of our community,” said Angela Spease. “For over 100 years, this has been a wonderful place for our families to gather, celebrate and make memories. Now, it’ll also be a place to have our time to pause, reflect and give thanks for all those who paid the ultimate price, served by defending our freedoms.”

She expressed how this memorial will be a way to help further connect residents both physically and emotionally. Spease also acknowledged that the groundbreaking was held on Juneteenth, a day that marked the end of slavery in the country and reminded attendees what it means to be free.

General Manager Tim Ogden addressed attendees next. Ogden, a son and a brother to veterans, said he understands the sacrifices made by those who fought in combat. 

“This memorial is an opportunity to reflect on the goodness, the greatness, the sacrifice and all that it means to us and for every visitor that passes by,” said Odgen. “It will be a reminder that this isn’t just about the past; it’s about the present and how we can all be living a part of the legacy that’s preceding us.”

Odgen gave recognition to the efforts and work of the design team as well as the contractor, Cohen and Thompson Construction.

Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, who helped secure an initial $100,000 in state funding, was the final speaker and shared personal reflections. No matter how much she prepares to speak in front of veterans, Nguyen said, she “always gets emotional because of the impact their service had” on her life.

“If it wasn’t for your bravery, if it wasn’t for your courage, my family would have never left,” Nguyen said. “And so, every chance I get, every moment that I get to see a veteran, somebody who served during the Vietnam War, I thank them.”

Nguyen credited O’Con for his efforts and expressed how deeply she felt about the memorial’s importance.

From left are Cosumnes Legacy Foundation’s Oscar O’Con, Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Cosumnes Community Services District Director Rich Lozano and President Angela Spease, District General Manager Tim Odgen, District Directors Reina Tarango and Peter Sakaris and Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen. Photo courtesy of Cosumnes Community Services District

“This here gives me the opportunity to honor you while you’re still here. Like Mr. O’Con said, this is one of five, where normally these events, we’re recognizing them after they pass.”

Nguyen said the occasion was meaningful for everyone involved but especially significant in her public service career, calling it one of her top projects.

She and the other speakers were joined by Cosumnes Community Services District board members and Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen to officially break ground with ceremonial shovels.

Afterward, attendees mingled with colleagues, discussed the project with community members and enjoyed light refreshments.

American Legion Post 55 Commander Larry Sahota told the Elk Grove Citizen that the memorial fills a long-needed gap in Elk Grove.

“We’re ecstatic. We’re glad that we’re going to have a place where we can honor our veterans,” said Sahota. “There’s more like 12,000 veterans in Elk Grove, so it’s fantastic that we’ve got a place to come.”

The chamber of commerce’s Leadership Elk Grove Class of 2025 also informed attendees about its efforts with the Veterans Memorial Beautification Project. The goal is to raise funds to add lighting, signage and other enhancements to the Elk Grove Regional Veterans Memorial. Donations can be made via Venmo to @EGChamber.  

Those interested in an engraved dedication brick paver or granite tile can visit bricksrus.com/donorsite/egveterans.