Memorial History & Building Journey

This is the historical record of the memorial’s creation, from concept to completion and dedication in 2019.

All perspectives are written from the directional position of one standing on East Main Street in front of the flag poles located in the front center of the Town Lawn.

The Lawn grounds consist largely of lawn, pavement, Redwood and other trees indigenous to California, some of which are lit at night and all of which have been numbered and logged by the Town arborist.  The lawn also hosts three artistic structures and rose gardens.  Three 45′ to 50′ flag poles exist flying the American, State of California and Town of Los Gatos flags exist at the northern front center of the lawn. Three art structures also exist on the Civic Center lawn.  They are: one titled “Eolian” by sculptor Eric Ziemelis created in 1991 which uses concrete and metal and is located on the east side of the lawn; a second structure, titled “Portals and Passages”, created by sculptor Marilyn Kukeht, also made of metal and steel; and a third art element resembling the base of a tree made of wood and concrete, dedicated to George and Ruth Barati for their contribution to the community and the arts, erected in 1998.

An arched macadam pathway exists from two exterior perimeter points along East Main Street’s sidewalk emanating from the northwest and northeast of the lawn that leads to the stairway entrance to the front of the Plaza. In addition, a sidewalk exists from the Town Library located to the left (east) of the Town Center and another walkway exists from the right (west) off of Pageant Avenue.  The pathway contains contemporary style lampposts of approximate 15′ in height that were installed in the last couple of years.

To the back of the Civic Center Lawn exists (in order of left to right or east to west) a parking area consisting of four rows of parking spaces for the two-story Town Library which is located behind the parking area (east of center), a rose garden and Redwood tree dedicated to Rose E. Aldag commemorating her 31 years of public service which sits in front of a handicap access ramp leading to the Plaza Square (east of center), a circular rose garden that exists between the lawn and the entrance to the Town Chambers (center) which is below the Civic Center Plaza (center), a two-story Town building adjunct to Civic Center Plaza shared by the Friends of the Library, the Los Gatos NUMU New Museum Los Gatos (west of center), an ivy garden with Redwood trees and a small municipal parking lot with entrance from Pageant Avenue (west of center). An 18″ semi-permanent stage is erected in front of the two story brick Friends of Library/Museum and Administration Building (west of center) that is in place from the second week of June to the end of August for summer concerts.

The veterans memorial site reclaims land that has not been usable by the public for it was dressed with an ivy bed covering. The Civic Center Lawn is used for concerts and shows e.g. Fiesta de Artes a wine and art show, Music in the Park concerts, and other celebrations during the spring, summer and fall. Concerts and events are heavily attended creating great exposure for the veterans memorial.