The new Seaside Heroes Park in Torrance was dedicated Saturday morning with a ceremony attended by a large crowd and families of those honored. The park honors Army soldiers Cpl. Joseph Anzack, Jr., 20, Cpl. Micah S. Gifford, 27, and Capt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, All three attended South High School and were killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan within 11 months of each other.
The monument is enscribed as follows:
Seaside Heroes Park
This park has been named in honor of our heroes:
Corporal Joseph A Anzack, Jr.
Captain Matthew C Ferrara
Corporal Micah S Giffod
This was their neighborhood
These three young men grew up in this area, attending Seaside Elementary Calle Mayor Middle, and South High Schools. As boys they enjoyed scouting, baseball, track and field, wrestling and football but as young men they all chose to serve our country.
Answering this call to duty, they all became members of the United States Army. Each made the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives while at war in Iraq (Joseph and Micah) and Afghanistan (Matthew). They died within an eleven month period.
(December 2006 - November 2007)
Let everyone who visits this park realize the sacrifice made by these Soldiers so that we may live in freedom, and may our "Seaside Heroes" be remembered and inspire future generations.
The Daily Breeze dot com has a wonderful collection of photos from the day of the dedication of the memorial.
Only a few months before Matt was killed in action he was involved at the battle of Ranch House for which he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. MaryAnn at Soldier's Angels Germany has a must read story about Matt here along with footage of the rescue and recovery on 9 November 2007.
I applaude Torrance, CA for dedicating this park in memory of these three American Heroes.
We are free men and women strictly at the behest of those that serve, protect, and sacrifice everything. We ARE in their debt. Eternally.
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