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They Did Their Duty with Honor, Now It Is Our Duty to Honor Them

What started in the Spring of 2003 as one man's desire to honor those Americans who had died since September 2001 in Afghanistan and Iraq, soon grew into an entire community expressing its heartfelt gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation in those conflicts.

That grassroots group of citizens pledged to keep remembering and honoring the Fallen Heroes and forged a partnership with the City of Irvine to create a permanent memorial to accomplish that goal. The permanent Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial was dedicated in a ceremony on November 14, 2010.

About Irvine

    Irvine is a city of 217,000 nestled against the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountain range, located 40 miles south of Los Angeles, California and 10 minutes south of Anaheim (home to Disneyland). Once a farming and citrus growing area, Irvine is now a regional business center and home to the University of California-Irvine, and numerous high technology and financial services companies. Incorporated in 1971 as the nation's largest planned community, it regularly ranks high in the U.S. for its liveability, diversity, and safety.

    Irvine's history with the military dates back to WWII when the Navy opened a blimp port (still standing) and USMC Air Station El Toro bordering on what would become Irvine. These bases remained in operation until 1999 and Irvine was home to many Marines and sailors. Thirty minutes south of Irvine is USMC Camp Pendleton - home of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (2/11), which was officially adopted by the city on September 15, 2007.

    The residents of Irvine and Orange County have a long held respect for our military and are committed to honoring and remembering with gratitude those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.