Mar Vista High School Vietnam Memorial

MAR VISTA HIGH SCHOOL VIETNAM MEMORIAL
IN REMEMBRANCE AND DEDICATION TO THOSE COURAGEOUS MARINERS
WHO ANSWERED THE CALL OF THEIR COUNTRY.. AND PAID WITH THEIR LIVES.
YOUR MAR VISTA HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES, SO PROUD, SALUTE YOU.
THIS WALL IS IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR HONOR, BRAVERY AND SACRIFICE


Tom Engelman Class of 1966		Raymond Albert Jr. Class of 1964		Leon Zuniga Class of 1967		David Dillon Class of 1961

						photo not available at this time
Grover Smith Class of 1964		Mike Massey Class of 1966		Barry Webster Class of 1968		Denny Christie Class of 1964


Ernest Burke Class of 1965

Elizabeth Gonzalez, Class of 72'

My cousin, Ernest C. Burke, served our country during the Vietnam War in the U.S Marine Corp. He died of Agent Orange poisoning at the age of 49. He was a good man and sadly to say he died much too young.
Although he made it back alive the effects of the Agent Orange poisoning took him slowly. He left behind a wife, two daughters and a family that loved him dearly. My cousin had a beautiful personality and a great smile. He loved pie ala-mode, his Tia Eleanor's coffee and his mother, Alma's, albondiga soup.

Here's to you cousin... I'm sure you are smiling down on us. We love you and miss you much.

My prayers go out to the families that lost their sons, fathers, brothers and friends. The memories of the Vietnam war era will live on amongst us.

Alfonso Ugalde

Maie and I just came back from visiting the Traveling Vietnam Memorial that is here in Oceanside with all those panels displaying those brave men and women who fought that unjust war. It was very touching and tearful to see the over 58,000 names on display and many soldiers recollecting those hurtful memories. I hope some of our classmates were able to come down and shed a tear in memory of the soldiers. I hope that we are able to leave Iraq very soon, this war is of pride and ego by the present administration. Best to All Alfonso Ugalde

Bill Knight

I was sent to Viet Nam on my 20th birthday (1970) and came home on my 21st, 365 days in the infantry in the jungle as a LRRP. Leon was a good friend, as was his sister Rosemary. I wish Rosemary, Leon's brothers and the family members of all the others honored on this site, a heart felt thank you for your sacrifice and condolences for your loss. I was unaware of Barry Webster's' loss until I saw this memorial and was very sad to see this. This is a very good thing to do so that we never forget the terrible loss that war inevitably brings.

Bob Wagnon

I served in Vietnam in late 1965 thru 1966 in the US Army.. 35 years later and the people who served and died still hits me very hard.

Roger Torres

I joined the Marines in summer of '66. I was in Viet Nam from 3/67 to 4/68 and knew Leon Zuniga very well, we went to SWJHS in '63. It's been almost 35 years but it seems like 35 days-- I really don't care what people say about this war and I'm very proud to stand along with everyone that took that "13 month tour". My heart goes to the ones (and their loved ones) who made the "Supreme Sacrifice" Semper Fi

Frank Allen

Leon Zuniga was A very good friend of mine. I was in Vietnam 1966-68. I was in the 1ST Brigade 101st Airborne Divion. I was wounded in 68. I am 100% disabled from PTSD,wounds. I think of Leon all the time.

Olga Sanchez

I was engaged to Raymond H. Albert Jr. known as "Sonny". He was due to come home 21 days before his casualty in Viet Nam. He was in the Army and died November 20, 1968. He was a wonderful guy with a great personality.

Rebecca Torres

I'd like to send my deepest sympathy to all the families of these young men. I'm very proud to have known some of them and am grateful to them all. My prayers go out the all the families.

Steve Bernard

I was Tom's (Engleman) classmate in 1966. He was a good friend and an outstanding athlete that I played football with at MVHS football. I was really hard hit when I learned he had gotten killed. I was in the Army in 1968 but did not go to Viet Nam. I knew his brother Ron and my sympathy goes out to his family. He was a good man with a big heart. I will surely miss him for the rest of my life. I have missed him already for the past 30 years. He is probably a leader in heaven. He was while he was here.