Veterans group awarded for bringing Vietnam Memorial Wall to Citrus Heights

By Mike Hazlip—
A Citrus Heights veterans group on Tuesday received the annual “Stones 21” award for their efforts to bring The Wall That Heals to the city.

See prior story: Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall replica set up in Citrus Heights

Members of the committee worked to bring the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to Rusch Park in March of 2023, and were awarded during a Dec. 12 ceremony held at Sammy’s Restaurant.

Committee Chairman Ray Riehle in a speech during the ceremony said the project began about a year ago, crediting American Legion Post 637 member Paul Reyes for being the one who initially approached him with the idea.

“I thought that was a wonderful idea,” Riehle said. “Having been to Washington and seeing the actual wall, to know that we could do something like that here in Citrus Heights was amazing.”

The project gained momentum with a $1,000 donation from the Rotary Club and another $10,000 donation from the City of Citrus Heights, Riehle said. The committee estimated the total cost of about $16,000 to hold the event at Rusch Park, and Riehle thanked members of the community for their support leading up to the March 29, 2023 event.

In an interview following the event, Reyes told The Sentinel he is honored that the committee received the award.

“It’s not something that I even entertained or expected,” Reyes said, hinting at future plans for a local, permanent wall. “I’m very honored because of how they explain how they give it. I just came with a crazy idea and I had a great team around me.”

Other committee members who received the award were Tish Lovisone, Ron Myers, Jim Monteton, Jonathan Hitesman, Sylvia Thweatt, Gigi Rayford, Citrus Heights Police Commander Kris Frey, Captain Jamie Tinker, Kermit Schayltz, and Steve Gall, according to a release by Stones Gambling hall.

Prior recipients of Stones Gambling Hall’s annual award have included CEO Beth Hassett, of Women Escaping A Violent Environment. Business owner and city “Godfather” Bill Van Duker was awarded in 2019, and Kathilynn Carpenter of the Sunrise Marketplace in 2018.