New Veterans Plaza dedicated to fallen Marine
The new Los Altos Rotary Veterans Plaza at Foothill College will forever be a reminder
of “service above self.” The Rotary Club's motto is reflected in the Foothill College community and in the life
of Matthew Manoukian.
On July 25, the Foothill community, the Los Altos Rotary Club and veterans gathered
in the new plaza for the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony. The Rotary Club spent
countless hours fundraising for the construction of the plaza. In 90 days the area
was transformed.
What started as an idea from a former Rotary president back in 2011 was unveiled and
dedicated in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Captain Matthew P. Manoukian. He died in
the line of duty August 10, 2012, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
in the Sangin District of Afghanistan.
Matthew is remembered for his service and for his unwavering appreciation for education,
according to his mother Associate Judge Patricia Manoukian, who spoke at the dedication
ceremony.
“He valued education and he counseled all of his marines to carry on their education,
to get their bachelor degrees, to prepare themselves to go out and serve the world,”
Patricia said addressing the crowd at the ceremony. “After he was killed we were
at many events throughout the United States and we had a number of marines who served
with our son come up to us and say, ‘Your son told me to go to school'.”
Judge Peter Manoukian, father of Matthew, said the Foothill community, one he experienced
as a student from 1968 to 1970, gives him great joy.
Foothill currently serves about 650 veterans.
“This is the home of the brave. What Rotary has done for Foothill is make a home for
the brave, for our veteran students,” Nguyen said.
For more information about the Veterans Resource Center, visit foothill.edu/veterans