Foothills Sentry Page 2 NOVEMBER 2025 Learn more at eocwd.com Traveling Vietnam Memorial replica brings memory and honor to Orange The three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, also called the Wall that Heals, was on display in Grijalva Park from Oct. 2-5. The monument, featuring the names of the 58,281 service members who lost their lives in Vietnam, drew some 5,000 visitors and was served by 358 volunteers. The wall was brought to Orange thanks to the efforts of James Kushon, who, late last year, made the original request to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization that oversees the mobile exhibit and education center. The project was subsequently spearheaded by a committee of volunteers and veterans led by Doug Redding. It was a success, Redding says, because everyone from the police, fire department, public works and community services “said yes.” Local supporters included the Elks Lodge 1475, American Foreign Legion Post 132 and MSI International, the company that provided the tiles for the memorial in Washington, D.C. The Wall was escorted to Grijalva Park by a fleet of motorcycles ridden by members of American Legion Post 132, veterans and scores of others who wanted to honor those whose names were on the memorial. A visitors pays his respects. Chapman University advances in college rankings Chapman University has once again advanced in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of America’s Best Colleges, climbing 11 spots nationally. The new ranking continues Chapman’s upward trajectory among the nation’s best institutions of higher education. U.S. News placed Chapman in the top 25% of 434 national universities in the study, which includes those who offer a full range of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees and strongly emphasize research. There are close to 2,700 fouryear colleges and universities in the U.S. Key factors leading to Chapman’s rise include: improved graduation rates; student retention, with first-year retention rates averaging 91%; social mobility gains; and graduation rates for Pell Grant-eligible students. Students from lower-income families who qualify for federal need-based aid matched or exceeded those of peer universities, driving a significant rise in Chapman’s social mobility ranking. Chapman also earned recognition as one of the nation’s Best Colleges for Veterans and continues to be cited for its strength in undergraduate teaching, business and psychology programs. Additionally, Chapman was recently named to the 2026 Forbes America’s Top Colleges List, which highlights institutions offering the best educational, financial and career outcomes for all students. The Orange Elks made a donation to The Wall That Heals Orange 2025. Members and friends of the lodge greeted the trucks carrying the exhibition as it traveled through Old Towne. Photo by Smetona Photo Photos by Tony Richards The Wall That Heals was a powerful presence in Grijalva Park for four days in October. A soldier is honored by loved ones at The Wall That Heals. Vietnam veteran, Doc, travels with the Wall to share stories and history with visitors.
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