After one year and 15-months, the Avenue of Heroes Banners will be displayed on SR 282 in Coronado (Third and Fourth Streets). It is hard to believe the Avenue of Heroes was not welcome in a city where the heart of the military in the United States resides, but it was a one year long fight. Many residents were opposed to banners as cluttering the already busily signed roadway. For this reason the Banner Program was requested for only the SR 282 portion of Third and Fourth. Others, had feelings the banners glorified war, or were reminders of sad times. Some were concerned it would bring more traffic to the already congested roadways of Coronado. Most members of TAF believed it was a worthy initiative, but not all. In the end, it was the stories from family and friends of Coronado Heroes that kept the project moving forward.
Finally, through the support of the Naval Air Station North Island’s, Captain Sund, Coronado City Council, especially Richard Bailey, Coronado Transportation Commissioner, John Tato, and the tireless work of Third and Fourth Streets Neighborhood Association (TAF) member, Eva Yakutis, the Avenue of Heroes program was officially launched with two banners being displayed behind the “Blue Line,” at North Island’s Main Gate.
A neighborhood celebration followed to honor the man who brought the Navy to Coronado, Glenn Curtiss, when he offered to teach Navy pilots to fly for free while he developed airplanes that would bring the United States up to par with Europe in terms of flight capabilities. The celebration was held in his original historic Airplane Craftsman styled home also located at the main base entry and now under the loving care of the Burgos family.
Initial Banners were displayed at the Avenue of Heroes roadway dedication ceremony on Veteran’s Day, 2014. Local Graphic Design Artist, John Weimann created the initial artwork and continues to offer his services as the Avenue of Heroes Banner Program roles out under the leadership of the City of Coronado’s Assistant City Manager, Tom Ritter, Coronado Historical Association’s Director, Bruce Linder, and the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander Chuck Lucas, Vice Commander Lee Fulmer, and Mike Turner.
The initial banners honored two significant heroes of this community, Vice Admiral Stockdale, former POW in the 50,000+ casualty and hotly contested Viet Nam Conflict and Commander Ellyson, the Navy’s first pilot.
Admiral James B. Stockdale was a long time Coronado resident. His wife Sybil and children lived in Coronado during the painful eight years of his captivity in a Viet Kong prison camp. He was later Vice Presidential candidate, losing to Bill Clinton. Mrs. Stockdale still resides in Coronado. We were so honored to have Mrs. Stockdale and family present as our grateful city honored these men of sacrifice and service to others.
The second banner was in honor of Glenn Curtiss’ first Naval flying student, Commander Theodore G. Ellyson, who commanded the flight school on North Island after Curtiss left, was namesake to Naval Air Station Ellyson Field in Florida, and for whom the 2013 Aviation Production Excellence Award was named.
The fight for the designation of the roadway as the Avenue of Heroes was also fought by family members of fallen men and women in service to our country. They wrote to the city council, sent biographies to the Avenue of Heroes facebook page, and many also quietly attended the dedication ceremony. I say quietly because none wanted credit or notoriety. Widows who quietly expressed their loss, daughters who spoke of their wonderful fathers, and sons who shared news stories and pictures of their mothers in service, all gave more than they have ever been recognized for. A very humble group, currently active or retired military members did not want to be publicly honored as their service was a deeply personal matter, and they always thought of another person who deserved it more than they did. Always!
While the Banners are a wonderful tribute, it is the stories that make us feel connectedness to the faces in the banners and the thousands who drive through our city everyday in service for the freedoms we all enjoy. Especially in Coronado. That is the impetus for a new book underway, “The Avenue of Heroes; Stories of the People behind the Name.” These stories should be told to a new generation of Coronadans and enjoyed for years to come. The people who live along the Avenue of Heroes and the rest of our city should be infused with pride in the values these Heroes brought to our community. Values that for over one hundred years – built the Avenue of Heroes.
If you are interested in a Banner, applications are in the City of Coronado website, and a link is on the Avenue of Heroes facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avenue-of-Heroes/1376195569330748. The process for acquiring requested documentation can be daunting, but there are folks in place that can help. Just ask.
Please share the story of your Hero for inclusion in the book. There is no story to big or too small, too old or too recent, every sacrifice is worthy of recognition on the Avenue of Heroes.
Toni McGowan
[email protected]
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Related: Resolution Passed: Third and Fourth Streets Designated “The Coronado Avenue of Heroes”
