Beacon News Story on East High Memorial Garden

East Memorial Garden attracting support

Tribute to veterans: Organizational meeting set Friday

AURORA -- East Aurora High School already is receiving support in its plans to build a Memorial Garden to graduates who have died while serving in the military.

The Memorial Garden plan, just announced last week, has received a $1,000 donation from the Aurora Republican Central Committee, as well as pledges of assistance from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Illinois National Guard, state Sen. Chris Lauzen of Aurora and former state Sen. Robert Mitchler of Oswego, according to Christina Boyles, advisor for the East High National Honor Society.

The Memorial Garden, under the direction of the National Honor Society, will be erected in the courtyard of the school as a permanent reminder of students who have given their lives in service of the country.

The National Honor Society hopes to dedicate the Memorial Garden on Memorial Day of this year. The family of Lance Cpl. Hector Ramos will be guests of honor at the dedication. Ramos, a 20-year-old Marine, died in a helicopter crash in Iraq last month. He was a 2003 graduate of East High.

The National Honor Society is searching for address information of families of other students who died in military service during other wars. The club wishes to include these families in the dedication of the Memorial Garden.

The public is invited to attend the planning meeting for the memorial at 7:15 a.m. Friday in Room 239 at East High. Participants should use the front entrance of the school.

For information or to provide assistance, people may contact Boyles at (630) 299-2353.