Some of Brentwood's foremost citizens gathered on the San Vicente Boulevard median, across from the Veterans Administration, to unveil the new gateway monuments on Wednesday, January 17.
The day began with drizzle but by 11am, it was sunny with a cold wind. (The weather gods obviously were in sympathy with the dedication; later in the day, it rained and hailed.and even snowed in places nearby!) The crowd slowly grew: Rotary members and supporters, the Historical Society, Brentwood 90049, the Brentwood News.all well-represented. LAPD Senior Lead Officer Philip Enbody brought some friends to help with traffic. Everyone was feeling festive.
Rotary President James Murphy, the man chiefly responsible for the monuments, began the ceremonies with a brief summary of the monument project. He described the year-long task of getting support and permits, and raising funds. Then he introduced our CountySupervisor, Zev Yaroslavsky. After warm compliments to our community, the Supervisor gave Rotary a proclamation lauding the monuments. A copy will be included in the time capsule buried near the eastern gateway, to be opened in 2056 to celebrate Brentwood's 150th birthday!
Moving around to the other side of the still-covered monument, there were gasps and smiles and applause from the crowd when the cover was pulled away and the monument stood glistening in the sunlight. It.and its twin at San Vicente and 26th Street.are of dramatic dark granite, with BRENTWOOD etched in and filled with gold. Gleaming next to its name is a circular bronze plaque, an image of the coral tree. After Dick Thompson took lots of photos, Brentwood 90049 hosted a picnic lunch.
The monuments are a distinctive and elegant welcome to Brentwood. They declare that we are a special community. They don't restrict.like gates.they simply invite. It's hard to express the pride and pleasure that looking at those lovely pieces of excellent craftsmanship gives. It makes the efforts of Rotary and the generosity of the donors well worthwhile. The people of Brentwood will treasure them in coming years, an ever-present symbol of the love we have for our wonderful part of Los Angeles.our home.
Article by Delores McKinney
