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Honoring our Veterans A virtual tour of veteran memorials in Placer County

From a memorial honoring World War II Japanese-American soldiers to the recently-dedicated Walk of Honor memorial in Granite Bay, Placer County has much to offer for those who want to pay their respects to the members of our United States Armed Forces. Placer County truly is a place where we honor our veterans and their families.

The 442nd Memorial

Located at the Bill Santucci Justice Center in Roseville, the bronze statue, “The Rescue of the Lost Battalion,” commemorates the heroic efforts of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team for their uncommon valor and sacrifice to rescue the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment, which were surrounded by enemy forces during World War II.

The memorial is dedicated to the brave Japanese-American soldiers of the 442nd RCT, 100th Battalion and Military Intelligence Service and their family members relocated in internment camps.

During World War II, over 100 Japanese-Americans from Placer County served in the 442nd RCT, the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the entire history of the U.S. military.

The memorial, made possible through a partnership between Placer County and the Placer County Japanese American Citizens League, features a 36-foot wide inlaid concrete compass, granite boulders with plaques, black granite benches, landscaping and flag poles.

Two new plaques honoring World War II-era Japanese Americans were added to the monument on April 29, 2023.

The Placer JACL plaque features a likeness of President Ronald Reagan (sculpted by noted artist Douglas Van Howd) along with two historic quotes. The Native Sons plaque acknowledges changes in the group’s values from its origins to current times. It is dedicated in memory of E. Ken Tokutomi, a leader in Placer JACL and in the Auburn Parlor of the Native Sons.

The Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse Bill Santucci Justice Center is located at 10820 Justice Center Drive in Roseville.

Walk of Honor Memorial

Honoring the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces that make our freedoms possible, the Granite Bay Community Park is now home to the newly-installed Walk of Honor memorial providing community members a place to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our nation’s military veterans and their families.

The memorial features a 50-foot pole flying the American flag flanked by five service flags representing each branch of the armed services, lined up in chronological date of their establishment.

The Walk of Honor memorial was officially debuted on Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, Sept. 30, with a special dedication ceremony to honor Gold Star mothers and veterans.

“It is a privilege to have the Walk of Honor as part of the Granite Bay community. This memorial will serve as a reminder of the great sacrifice paid by the men and women of our military as well as their families.” District 4 Supervisor Kirk Uhler

The Walk of Honor memorial was conceived, designed, funded and built by the Granite Bay Rotary Club in coordination with the Placer County planning and parks divisions.

It is located on the corner of Douglas Boulevard and Barton Road in Granite Bay.

DeWitt History Museum

Located in North Auburn, the DeWitt History Museum features exhibits highlighting the DeWitt campus since it first opened as a military hospital during World War II.

Opened in February 2018, the museum, photographs and artifacts help tell the stories of the different uses of the property during different eras.

Exhibits highlight its purchase by the federal government as a World War II hospital, its subsequent purchase by the State Department of Mental Hygiene as a psychiatric hospital and its most current function as the Placer County Government Center.

Those who have memories, photographs or artifacts that would help Placer County tell the DeWitt story, or who would like to become a docent at the new museum, are encouraged to contact the museum office at 530-889-6500.

The DeWitt History Museum is open and free to the public on Wednesdays from noon to 4 p.m. It is located at 2985 Richardson Drive in North Auburn.

"Why" World War I Memorial

Located at the entrance to the Placer County Administrative Government Center in Auburn, the "Why" World War I Memorial, created by Dr. Ken Fox, is dedicated to all the fighting men of the United States of America, past, present and future.

The memorial, recently updated, features an eternal flame.

The memorial is located at 175 Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn.

Veteran Memorial Halls of Placer County

Placer County is home to veteran memorial halls in Auburn, Colfax, Foresthill, Lincoln, Rocklin, Roseville and Sheridan.

Not only do they serve as locations for veterans organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War, among others, to convene meetings and host fundraisers, they also provide information about veteran services to military veterans and their families.

Memorials halls are available to community members to rent as venues for weddings, receptions, fundraisers and other events. Learn more about our memorial halls online at https://www.placer.ca.gov/2292/Veterans-Memorial-and-Other-Community-Ha

Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall

The Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall was built in 1931 and dedicated in January 1932. The dining hall and dance floor were expanded after World War II. Portions of the hall may be rented on a space-available basis.

Auburn Reflective Memorial Site

Located to the side of the Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall, the Auburn Reflective Memorial Site features a plaque honoring Gold Star mothers, a bench, flag pole and flower beds.

Gold Star Moms Memorial

The Auburn Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 100 East Street in Auburn.

Colfax Veterans Memorial Building

Built in the early 1950s, the Colfax Veterans Memorial Building has served as the site for many veterans meetings, fundraisers, celebrations, and commemorations. The community has also used the building for many occasions, from dances to county immunization clinics.

Portions of the building may be rented on a space-available basis.

The building is located at 22 Sunset Circle in Colfax.

Foresthill Veterans Memorial Hall

This Foresthill Veterans Memorial Hall is considered by many local residents to be the heart of the Foresthill community. The building is used for many veterans, county, community and family events and celebrations. The building is one block north of the Foresthill main business strip and is on the same grounds as the Foresthill Park and the Forest Hill Divide Museum. Portions of the hall may be rented on a space-available basis.

The Foresthill Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 24601 Harrison Street in Foresthill.

Lincoln Veterans Memorial Hall

Located in downtown Lincoln, the Veterans Memorial Hall is used by many community organizations, groups and individuals. Portions of the hall may be rented on a space-available basis.

The Lincoln Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 541 5th Street in Lincoln.

Loomis Veterans Memorial Hall

Built at the end of the 1940s, the Loomis Veterans Memorial Hall is the main community facility in Loomis. Portions of the hall may be rented on a space-available basis.

The Loomis Veterans Memorial Hall is located at 5945 Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis.

Roseville Veterans Memorial Building

The Roseville Veterans Memorial Building was originally built in 1929 and later expanded to its current configuration in 1949. It features a main hall, two lodge rooms, a fireplace room, service office and basement will full kitchen.

The memorial building is home to the Alyn W. Butler American Legion Post 169, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1487, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 500, Fleet Reserve Association Sunrise Branch Unit #230 and Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association.

The memorial building is home to two lodge meeting rooms - designated for men and women. The lodge room pictured above hosts meetings for the FRA, VFW, VVOA and American Legion.
Letters, photographs and articles from past military days grace the walls of the meeting room.
A band of brothers - a closer look at a captain and his crew.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Association meeting room.
Mrs. Louise Butler, Gold Star mother and first president of the American Legion Auxiliary, 1926-1927. The Alyn W. Butler Post 169 is named after her son, who died in France.
The basement of the memorial hall is lined with military photos and is home to meetings for Boy Scouts of America Troop 11.
The memorial auditorium is open to the public as a rental for weddings, fundraisers, events and square dancing.
And interactive model of an aircraft carrier is on display.

The Roseville Veterans Memorial Building is located at 110 Park Drive in Roseville.

Veterans Service Office

Our Veterans Service Office promotes the interest and welfare of veterans, their dependents and their survivors by enhancing their quality of life through counseling, education, benefits assistance and advocacy.

VSO staff connect veterans to their benefits by assisting in their interactions with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and hope to make easier the process of applying for benefits like health care and pensions.

Placer County is also committed to finding a home for every veteran who wants one. Through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program, which provides rental assistance vouchers, the resources are there to do it. But there aren’t currently enough landlords in the program to place the qualified vets.

Interested landlords can learn about the program by visiting placer.ca.gov/veteranshousing. Watch the following video for more information.

Learn more about the services provided to veterans and their families as well as office hours at https://www.placer.ca.gov/departments/veterans

Our Veterans Service Offices is now serving the public at three locations: 1000 Sunset Blvd., Suite 115 in Rocklin; 11562 B Ave. in Auburn; 5525 N. Lake Blvd. in Carnelian Bay.