Repair work was done this week on the base of the 1st Infantry Division Monument in Heritage Park. There had been weather-related water damage to the monument, which was dedicated July 4, 1991.
Phyllis Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Society of the 1st Infantry Division, said it was presented to the Big Red One for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Her organization funded the repairs which were done by Rickoric Masonry of Chapman. Repairs include work on the stone and sealing to prevent water from damaging the structure in the future,'
Fitzgerald noted that the monument means a lot to the Big Red One and to the community. "When we deployed out of here to Desert Shield / Desert Storm back in 1990 and 1991 our community stood behind us then. They thought about us while we were gone and they welcomed us all back home with open arms and were just glad for us to be back."
Fitzgerald added community members and different businesses had the monument made, "and dedicated it to the 1st Infantry Division for our efforts going to war and coming back home. Fitzgerald, herself at the time, was a 1st Infantry Division Soldier.
Rick Rickoric handled the repair work on the monument, which is located in the southeast corner of Heritage ParkPh
