THORNTON, CA (MPG) - Completing the vision of a local veteran, Thornton on July 20 dedicated a plaque honoring town residents who have served in the U.S. military, with names dating from as early as the Civil War.

The event was at Thornton Veterans Memorial Park, with attendees including San Joaquin County officials, leaders of area cities and the family of Dewy Upton.

Upton conceived the memorial plaque as a way to preserve a list of veterans on the wall of a bar that was set to close. Local historian Charlotte Cameron expanded the initial list to include Thornton veterans who served during both World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and peacetime. She also found two veterans, Simeon A. Babcock and George H. Barber, who joined the Union during the Civil War. In total, the plaque features nearly 60 names.

Upton did significant work making the plaque happen, including advocating for it through his position on the Thornton Municipal Advisory Council (MAC), but he died suddenly on Nov. 3, 2023, before completion of the project. The Thornton community rallied to finish the work, and the San Joaquin County Housing Authority installed another plaque beside the veterans memorial, describing Upton’s efforts.

As the start time approached, visitors gathered at the memorial park, on the corner of Thornton Road and Mokelumne Avenue. Attendance was higher than expected and organizers ran out of 100 programs printed for the event. After the event, A-Z Foundation offered a tri-tip lunch to visitors.

Upton’s granddaughter, Courtney Jacobson, told the Herald that creating the plaque was Upton’s “passion.”

“My grandfather has really always wanted to honor veterans and servicemen, and this has just been his pride,” Jacobson said. “When he moved to this community and heard about this project and that there needed to be some recognition, he took it up full-heartedly, spearheaded that, more than I really understood and saw. So for this to come to fruition is really awesome.”

Jacobson said it was hard losing Upton because “my grandpa was my best friend” but the rapid work to reach his goal helped lift her spirits.

“It was really heartwarming and good but it’s kind of bittersweet because you see his name on there, because he is no longer with us, but it is a reflection of all his hard work,” Jacobson said.

In a speech, San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding thanked the community for completing the project and the advisory council for bringing Thornton’s needs to the board of supervisors’ attention.

“We’ve got a lot of exciting things going on in Thornton right now. You’ve got a phenomenal MAC board that brought a lot of things to our attention,” Ding said. “We got the Portuguese Hall open … we’ve got basketball courts going in soon, none of which could be done without those who stood for us then, and that’s why we’re standing for them today.”

Other local officials attending included Lodi Mayor Lisa Craig, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln and Galt Vice- Mayor Rich Lozano.

Lincoln, who served in the Marine Corps, told the Herald that Upton’s legacy would live on because of the project.

“Just to see the names of the veterans written in stone for this community, I just know it’s going to last forever,” Lincoln said.

Craig said that she attended because of her own ties to the military, including associations with veterans and a background in military housing.

“I think if you’re a family member of a veteran or an active serving member, you’re going to be here because you know how important it is to them and your lives as Americans,” Craig said.

Lozano said any efforts to honor veterans are significant for people throughout the region.

“When a small community like this pays homage to our veterans like they have, it shows what their values are, and I think that’s important,” Lozano said.

Addressing attendees, Bill Selling of Lodi American Legion Post 22 said American service members and veterans have chosen “to write a blank check payable to the United States of America for any amount up to and including their life.”

He encouraged veterans and relatives of veterans to get proper documentation of their service. He asked civilians to thank veterans for their service.

Tom Gerber, the housing authority’s director of administration, recalled Upton showing him a drawing of the plaque that Upton envisioned. Gerber was struck by “how proud he (Upton) was of this park and what it meant to him to support the veterans that have served and the armed forces in this community.”

“I think this is an awesome dedication to Dewy and what he meant to this community and what this memorial meant to him,” Gerber said.

Jacobson described her grandfather as “the king of tough love,” but also a dedicated and loving man and a proud service member. Though he seemed tough on the outside, she added, “he was a big teddy bear.”

“He always kind of stood up for the little guy, which is what I loved about him, and the biggest family man you would ever meet,” Jacobson said.