By : Cozette Vergari
June 2022
The Westchester/Playa Historical Society will honor veterans in its upcoming exhibit, Commemorating Our Hometown Veterans, commencing Sunday, May 29th and running through Sunday, June 26th . The exhibit is being showcased at the Westchester/Playa Historical Society Discovery Center, located at 6207 W. 87th Street in Westchester, and is generously sponsored by Richard Moon & Associates, Accounting and Financial Services firm.
The Exhibit will showcase veterans who have, at some time, resided within the Westchester/Playa neighborhoods. It commemorates the dedication, sacrifice and bravery of those serving within the many branches of the military, to preserve, protect and defend our country’s rights and freedoms, while the society expresses its gratitude for giving our community a safe environment, in which we can freely, proudly and respectfully pursue our dreams.
Commemorating Our Hometown Veterans will be open to the public on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or otherwise by appointment. The following veterans have been submitted by family members and will be featured in the display: Richard Allen, Henrietta Barbour, Norman Bisho, Richard Brubaker, William Baker Chattin, John Craigie, William Corrin, Richard Crovella, Robert Dalton, Alfonse Dragotto, Howard Drollinger, Robert Gebhardt, Donald Glaza, Joseph Herrera, Lloyd Hild, Paul Hood, Bill Jong, Marco Leal, Alvin Lyon, Bob McGindley, Vincent Migliazzo, Walter Mikos, Richard Moon, Charles Pavlich, Angelo Picciolo, Pat Michael Rotolo, William Schultz, Sam J. Toia, Claude Trudelle, Joseph Vezzetti, and Eugene White. Also showcased will be Robert Chebi, John Clark, Curt Curtiss, Ronald Fink, Jose Garcia, Eileen Hamor, Glenn Hamor, William Hatton, William G. Hembacher, John Holmes, William Langford, Donald Leahy, John Lillard, Richard Magyar, Robert McCall, Jack W. McLaughlin, Theodore McLean, Fred Moore, James Plowden, Robert Razzeto, Robbi Robinson.
The Discovery Center will be closed for renovation from July 3rd through September 4th, and will reopen with its Fall exhibit on September 11th. During its closure, due to the many positive responses to our article on the history of the Giant Holiday Candles, the historical society will be taking reservations for Candle Making Workshops during the month of October. The workshops will be led by Board Member and lifetime resident of Westchester, Grant Frances, who has personally carried on the holiday candle tradition for many decades. If you are interested in making your own red or blue giant holiday candle to display in your front yard, please contact us at info.wphistorical@gmail.com.
We are nearing the one-year anniversary of the grand opening of the Discovery Center. I wish to acknowledge the Westchester/Playa Historical Society Board Members and Donors who have made this first year possible. Many thanks to our board members, Marcelo Cruz, Art Wexler, Mike Heffernan, David Russell and Grant Francis, who work tirelessly, donating their time and talent to our mission of gathering, studying and preserving the history of the communities of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista. And, to our donors and contributors, we are so thankful and have acknowledged each of them on our website. Please visit https://wphistoricalsociety.org/support.
6207 W 87th St - Westchester, CA 90045 