Retirement living center Westmont of La Mesa unveiled fifteen photos of residents who served in the United States military on a newly established Wall of Honor, commemorated on June 14 to coincide with Flag Day.
Photographer Kaori Devine, who took the portrait-style photos of the veterans, said Sharp HospiceCare reached out as a key sponsor and asked if she would be interested in the project over a year ago, only to be waylaid by the COVID pandemic.
Postponed from March, 2020 the photo series finally came to fruition this year, artistically edited by Devine to capture a vintage 1950’s-era feel in the images.
Westmont Executive Director David Armour said the residents “look powerful and vibrant in these professional photos” and it is fitting, with San Diego’s rich military history, to honor the residents with the new installation.
Armour said a Wall of Honor is installed in all the Westmont living communities but this particular project was laden with extra challenges, including the fact that the La Mesa building opened in September 2019, just six months before the pandemic hit San Diego.
“We had just started moving the project forward when COVID derailed everything. We are so happy that we were able to get things going again as restrictions lifted,” Armour said.
Five more veterans have moved into the residence since Devine captured the initial photos; Armour said it won’t be long before they are added to the Wall of Honor.
“Veterans are the strength of our country because without our veterans, there would be no United States of America,” Armour said in his dedication speech on Monday after the Navy Southwest Color Guard presented colors to the room.
Commemorating the wall on Flag Day, he said, is especially fitting as the day signifies unity. Although the second Continental Congress created an organized army and the Continental Colors as a sign of solidarity, it wasn’t until June 14, 1777 that a true description of the flag as we know it was blazoned. A century later, then-President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day.
“The men we honor today were willing to die for the flag and are witnesses to its enduring meaning,” Armour said with a glance to the veterans seated nearest his podium.
Sharp HospiceCare Vice President Suzi Johnson said the nation’s military veterans are a shining example of heroism and valor and the opportunity to photograph the residents at Westmont is a way to honor their service to the country.
“Thank you for keeping America the greatest country on earth,” Armour said.
