CLEARLAKE — A collaborative effort by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro, the Clearlake Rotary Club, area veterans” organizations and local government officials will culminate next week with the dedication of a Lake County highway.
A ceremony dedicating Highway 53 as the “Lake County Veterans Memorial Highway” will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 26 at the American Legion post hall No. 437 on Austin Road in Clearlake. The public is invited to attend.
“More than two million California residents have served our country in the military and we need to show them our gratitude,” Chesbro stated. “Naming a highway after our veterans is the least we can do to show our appreciation.”
Highway 53 is a seven-mile, north/south artery that connects highways 20 and 29 in Lake County. Highway 53 provides access to the City of Clearlake, the community of Lower Lake and Anderson Marsh State Historical Park.
The Clearlake Rotary Club spearheaded the effort. “We are really excited at the prospect of this coming to fruition. We”ve been working on this project for a couple of years,” Clearlake Rotarian Carl Webb said. “The reason we wanted this to happen is it is a way to say thank you and express appreciation for our veterans and their families.”
Lake County has suffered the death of two local servicemen. Lance Corporal Ivan Wilson, of Clearlake, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008. Sgt. 1st Class David J. Hartman, of Kelseyville was killed in Pakistan in February 2010.
“This is our community”s gesture of gratitude honoring David Hartman, Ivan Wilson and all those currently serving and who have served,” Lake County District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing said.
The effort to establish the Lake County Veterans Memorial Highway was made possible with the support of Chesbro, Clearlake Rotary Club, Clearlake City Council, Lake County Board of Supervisors, American Legion post No. 194 and No. 437, Lake County Disabled Veterans of America, Lake County Voiture No. 912 40&8, Operation Tango Mike, Vietnam Veterans of America chapter No. 951 and Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and other veteran supporters.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call directly at 994-6444, ext. 14.
