June 30, 2026. To the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation Community, As I close twelve years as President of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation, I find myself reflecting with deep appreciation on the people and partnerships that helped steer this journey. It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve alongside the extraordinary volunteers, veterans, civic leaders, and supporters who share a steadfast commitment to honoring those who have served our nation. So many hands helped shape this work. I am especially grateful to the Los Gatos Town Council and Town Staff, who entrusted us with realizing our dream; and to Gary Filizetti, his Devcon crew and the subcontractors who worked with us as partners in bringing construction leadership to the raising of The Flame of Liberty Memorial. I am grateful, too, to our many in-kind donors; to memorial artist Frank Kocian Morris for his exceptional design; to the First Responder Chiefs of Santa Clara County Fire and the Los Gatos–Monte Sereno Police and their teams; to the talented Leonardis family, who graciously adorned a temporary headquarters location with their distinctively artistic patriotic mural; to the Los Gatos Lions, Los Gatos Music and Arts, KCAT, Kiwanis, Rotary, and the many Los Gatos–based service clubs and fellow veterans-focused nonprofits; and to the broader community that stood with us throughout. To our donors: your extraordinary generosity, above all, turned a shared vision into reality. Together we completed The Flame of Liberty Memorial and gave our community a welcoming place to gather, remember, and heal—and that same generosity now improves the lives of veterans and their families through programs that endure today. To our Board and Advisory Board members: history celebrates the structures we can see, but they stand only because of the foundations laid quietly beneath them—the ones who show up, decide, steward, and serve without thought of reward. You understood that to honor those who sacrificed for our freedom is a sacred trust, and you carried that trust with a devotion equal to the cause itself. It has been a privilege to serve alongside you. I have long believed that organizations like ours are sustained not by individuals, but by communities united in purpose, and you have proven that belief true again and again. Every transition is also a beginning, and I have full confidence in the Foundation’s future under Charles “Chaud” Richards, a veteran whose dedication and vision I trust completely. I ask that you extend to Chaud the same warmth, generosity, and support you so graciously showed me. Though I am stepping down as President, I will continue to support the Foundation in an advisory role. Thank you for the trust you have extended to me. It has been a privilege to serve. With sincere gratitude, Major General Kent Hillhouse U.S. Army (ret) Outgoing President, Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation.

A small committee of Veterans and patriotic volunteers gave birth to the Foundation known as the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation of Los Gatos. The Foundation constructed and manages, in perpetuity, a memorial in downtown Los Gatos that celebrates freedom and gives tribute to service members and Veterans of the United States military.

Dedicated in 2019, the memorial recognizes the courage and loyalty demonstrated by the brave men and women who have fought in conflicts, cataclysmic war and in so many ways, defend the freedom that defines America.

LEARN MORE

VISIT THE FLAME OF LIBERTY
MEMORIAL SITE

110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030

Mission: Service

Boot camp to benevolence -> What lies behind the building of bridges…

By Ellen Manzo - October 9, 2024

Have you heard the saying, “There are two types of people in this world, the givers and the takers?” Givers, characterized by their willingness to support and help others, do so without expecting anything in return. Takers focus more on personal gain, sometimes at the expense of others.

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100% of your money brings honor, respect, gratitude and healing to America’s heroes.

Build and maintain a tribute to past, present and future U.S. military members, veterans, first responders and 9/11 heroes that delivers honor, respect, gratitude and healing
Educate the Community
Provide Humanitarian Support

WHAT'S NEW

KRTY interviewed Foundation President Major General Kent Hillhouse on December 14.

Veterans Foundation Board members had the privilege of honoring America’s Veterans this past Veterans Day. Board Advisor to the Veterans Foundation, Former Assistant Secretary US Army and USMC Colonel William E Peacock, was chosen with the ceremonial distinction of Grand Marshall for the San Jose Veterans Day Parade. And Foundation President Major General Kent Hillhouse, US Army (Ret.) who typically parades San Jose streets in a classic car, rode in true fashion in a military vehicle, something that brought back memories of his distinguished military career including serving on the front line in Vietnam.

Recommended links:
Scroll to the 1:48 mark. And 197-213!

Donate today and transform lives for America’s heroes. Every single penny contributes to delivering the honor, respect gratitude and healing to those who’ve defended America’s freedom.

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Donate by Check

Please complete a Pledge/Gift Form and send it along with your check payable to VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS. If you're donating in honor of someone, please write that in the memo of your check.

Tax receipts will be mailed within four to eight weeks after the donation has been processed.

Donate Stock

We're able to accept donations in the form of stock, government (including municipal) debt and corporate debt through the Depository Trust Company (DTC). For security, settlement and reduced paperwork, electronic transfer through the DTC is preferred. This can be arranged from most brokerage accounts.  Please see our section Make a Gift of Securities and complete a Pledge / Gift Form if you prefer to make a stock donation.

Please contact [email protected] for more information on making a stock donation.

VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS
P.O. BOX 1696
LOS GATOS, CA 95031

VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS is a U.S. tax-exempt public charity, EIN #46-1338469, accepted and registered with the IRS under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

Donation Total: $50.00

TOGETHER, WE'RE UNSTOPPABLE

Dr. Clyde HornA Memorial creates an actual place where veterans, all who serve their country and families of all races, creeds, social status and opinion can find a place that creates a healing environment to reflect and value one of our greatest gifts--to live in a free society.
Dr. Clyde HornWounded Combat Veteran, Psychotherapist, Photographer, Vietnam Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, Honorary Board Member
jim free "Going clear back to the Civil War, all of our Veterans have raised their right hand and swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.   And along with that we wrote a check to the U.S. Government and the American People for an amount up to and including our lives.  Unfortunately, far too many have given their all in that regard."
James FreeChairman Emeritus, Campbell Veterans Memorial Foundation
ed stahl"It is important to have a war memorial because it must not be forgotten that many people gave their lives so that we Americans might have what we have today."
Ed StahlCEO, Travel Advisors of Los Gatos
Our freedom to live and work in a community as great as ours is a result of the sacrifices borne by those who serve, and in some cases, veterans who have given us their all for our country. The Flame of Liberty Memorial delivers honor and gratitude to our Veterans. More importantly, it shouts "Welcome Home!"
Jeff BarnettVICE-PRESIDENT, REGIONAL MANAGER
Compass Realtors®, Los Gatos
"The reason I have donated time and energy to this worthwhile cause is because Veterans and active Military provide for the peace and freedom of our country, which is fundamental to the American way of life."
The Honorable Francis J. Harvey19th Secretary of the U.S. Army
"Seven years ago when we launched this initiative, we wanted to build a memorial that delivered honor, respect, and gratitude.  What we didn't know, and learned along this journey, is how powerful memorials can be as a catalyst towards healing."
Ellen ManzoVeterans Foundation Board Member
wiliam peacock"They gave all of their tomorrows so the rest of us could live in freedom"
The Honorable William PeacockFormer Assistant Secretary, U.S. Army
Colonel U.S. Marine Corps
john lochner"The best way to remember those who gave so much is to honor their service."
John LochnerTwo-Time Mayor for Los Gatos
“Freedom is the cornerstone to happiness.  Courage is the cornerstone to freedom.  Veterans are the cornerstone to courage.  We owe them respect, gratitude, honor and healing.”
"Being involved with the veterans foundation has helped me forge a unique alliance with our community to show our support and appreciation for those who served."
Duino GiordianoA Life of Service: Vietnam War, Years Later - Police Captain, Monte Sereno & Town of Los Gatos, Today - Red Cross
“America’s veterans encompass the values and ideals upon which our country was founded.  We owe our heroes honor and our greatest gratitude in return.”
“I’ve had a blessed life because of my freedom.  I can’t imagine what it would be like to be without freedom. And for that alone, I know whom to thank and for whom to pray.”
Lorin JanovichMilitary Family, Mother of Two Marines, Entrepreneur
"As a veteran, it is comforting to come home from a war knowing that the community supports your service."
Major General Kent HillhouseU.S. Army (Ret.) and Vietnam Veteran
“Recognizing those who sacrificed so much for our freedom is necessary to preserve the ideals of America.”
Steven LeonardisLos Gatos Town Council

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