Lakewood in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Boys of Del Valle Park
Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 9, 2009
1. The Boys of Del Valle Park Marker [bottom right]
Inscription.
The Boys of Del Valle Park. . , We climbed aboard that huge winged rocket, , and rode it to the sky. , Our minds would soar for hours and hours, , we're never gonna die., With pitch and yaw, dives and rolls, , we'd blast bad guys to heaven. , We'd crash and burn and walk away, , heck, we're only seven., But jets give way to bats and balls, , to hoop and football too. , "We've got great potential," they'd say, , "The rest is up to you.", How quick time travels from innocent days, , of running in the sun. , 'till the day your daddy tells you, , "It's your duty son.", "Be strong, be tough, and be a man," , I'd listen to them say , "but wait a minute everyone, , I thought it was only play.", And so it goes we're back today, , with no mournful song to sing. , That same great jet above us now, , shades us with its wings., Together again but now we rest, , a brass plaque is our home, , but we're not complaining, we're quite , content, to lie here all alone., So moms and dads bring the kids on by , and read a name or two; , remember that these precious children , sure think the world of you., Tell them the truth about us, , don't shirk, don't squirm, don't lie , and tell them that the toys boys play with , could someday make men die., And think of us if not out loud, , but when it's quiet and dark , after all we're your kids you know, , the boys of Del Valle Park., Dennis Lander , Vietnam Veteran
We climbed aboard that huge winged rocket,
and rode it to the sky.
Our minds would soar for hours and hours,
we're never gonna die.
With pitch and yaw, dives and rolls,
we'd blast bad guys to heaven.
We'd crash and burn and walk away,
heck, we're only seven.
But jets give way to bats and balls,
to hoop and football too.
"We've got great potential," they'd say,
"The rest is up to you."
How quick time travels from innocent days,
of running in the sun.
'till the day your daddy tells you,
"It's your duty son."
"Be strong, be tough, and be a man,"
I'd listen to them say
"but wait a minute everyone,
I thought it was only play."
And so it goes we're back today,
with no mournful song to sing.
That same great jet above us now,
shades us with its wings.
Together again but now we rest,
a brass plaque is our home,
but we're not complaining, we're quite
content, to lie here all alone.
So moms and dads bring the kids on by
and read a name or two;
remember that these precious children
sure think the world of you.
Tell them the truth about us,
don't shirk, don't squirm, don't lie
and tell them that the toys boys play with
could
Click or scan to see this page online
someday make men die.
And think of us if not out loud,
but when it's quiet and dark
after all we're your kids you know,
the boys of Del Valle Park.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 33° 50.477′ N, 118° 6.965′ W. Marker was in Lakewood, California, in Los Angeles County. Memorial was on Woodruff Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 4553 Woodruff Avenue, Lakewood CA 90713, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regarding The Boys of Del Valle Park. Douglas F3D-2 "Skynight" (No: 127039)
Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 9, 2013
2. Del Valley Park Marker [front]
In Memory Of Those Who Never Made It Home
With love and respect for the men and women who served in the armed forces of our country during World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and other conflicts around the globe, who traveled to faraway places with strange sounding names in defense of our country, democracy and the American way, we extend our eternal gratitude.
The Reverend Dr. John C. Bonner Family
John, Marjarie, Esther, Paul, Edith, Susy and Marc
May 29, 2000
Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 9, 2013
3. Korean Conflict Marker [left]
Dedicated to those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom in the Korean Conflict 1950-1953
Dedicated May 30, 1964 by the Lakewood City Council
May Robert W. Baker
Vice-Mayor George Nye, Jr.
Councilmen William J. Burns, Gene Nebeker, Woodrow W. Smith
Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 9, 2009
4. Douglas F3D “Skynight”
Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 9, 2013
5. Douglas F3D “Skynight”
Photographed By Michael Kindig, June 9, 2013
6. Vietnam Conflict Marker [top right]
In rememberence of those of Lakewood who died in the service of their country during the Vietnam Conflict
Alfred Alvarado - Thomas F. Barth - Brian W. Bates - Gale L. Brown -
Marc A. Brown - Richard Allen Brown - Charles Mike Castillo - Leonard J. Chislock - Jerry Wayne Dearing - James L. Harnden - Paul James Harrison - Dennis L. Hayes - Randall S. Hill - Hugh Bryant Holmes - Mark R. Holtom - Alan M. Horn - Sydney Claude Howard - James Arthur Jackson - Donald Gene King - Andy Knevelbaard - Alfred H. Kunkel, Jr. - Roger Marshall - John McFarlane - John B. Meckel - Jimmy A. Miller - Richard Hershel Miller - John H. Mooney - Thomas RIchard Muren - Steve C. Owen - Craig D. Pinchot - David Richardson - Joseph Michael Romero - Scott Lawrence Schmidt - Glen Shropshire - Marshall K. Smith - Donald R. Sorensen - Christopher A. Souza - Alan W. Thornton - Douglas Vande-Vegte - Stephen Thomas Volz - Craig Williams - Ernest H. Young - Lee Zoeller
Rededicated by the Lakewood City Council
May 29, 2006
via Lakewood News Reporter, July 2, 2013
7. Memorial plaques stolen from Del Valle Park
Lakewood News Reporter, July 2, 2013:
"In a horrible and disrespectful act, two of the five plaques at the Del Valle Veterans Memorial were stolen on June 29, presumably by thieves seeking money from recycling their bronze material." Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2013, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2013, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 10, 2013, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 7. submitted on February 13, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.