LA QUINTA (CNS) - County officials today put out a call for items to be placed in a time capsule honoring veterans, which is slated to be dedicated on Memorial Day weekend at a La Quinta park and which will remain sealed for 40 years.
The capsule, which is to remain sealed for 40 years, will be placed at Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park on May 25. The capsule's inclusion in the park, which was renamed in honor of veterans last fall, was part of a host of suggestions solicited from members of the Armed Forces, with county officials seeking their input on the design of the park's veterans monument.
``Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park is the first park in our county park system named in honor of veterans, and I'm very proud that veterans have had a major part in its design and features,'' Fourth District Supervisor V. Manuel Perez said.
``The veterans time capsule was one of the suggestions that was brought forth by local veterans that we are incorporating. We want as many veterans and organizations to take part in this historic occasion.''
All are welcome to contribute an item, which must be submitted by May 22. Gifted items will be processed, recorded, assigned archive numbers and placed in protective materials for preservation until 40 years to the date of the dedication ceremony.
Items should be small and thin, and can include items like photographs, medals, family letters and newspaper articles, county officials said. In addition, 50 letters written by students from La Quinta's Benjamin Franklin Elementary School are set to be included in the capsule.
Brig. Gen. Russell Muncy will be the ceremony's keynote speaker and veterans of the Vietnam War, Desert Storm-Desert Shield, Iraq and Afghanistan conflict are expected to take part in the ceremony, which will also include a dedication of the park's new flagpoles and a fireworks show.
Those interested in donating items for the time capsule should bring them to the Palm Springs Air Museum Library at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail.
Deliveries should be made on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.