Flag Waves in Honor of Veteran

The Bellflower Honors Program was officially launched on Veterans Day 2020, concurrently with the grand opening of the Veterans Memorial.  This program includes an opportunity to honor past and present military personnel from Bellflower by dedicating a street pole banner or an engraved brick.  On December 13, 2020, Amy Bernardi and her family were able to take her father, US Army Veteran Leigh Gronstrand, to visit the new Veterans Memorial and to see his banner.  Unfortunately, Mr. Gronstrand passed away almost two weeks after his visit, on December 26, 2020.  
   
“In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer which may have been caused by his exposure to Agent Orange while serving his tour in Vietnam. In the recent months, he      became terminally ill and passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home. This banner and memorial were one of the last things to bring my dad true joy in his last weeks and we will never forget that,” said daughter Amy Bernardi. “He was one of the most patriotic men I’ve ever known and was so proud of his service to his country.” 

Mr. Gronstrand retired from the Army in 1992 and moved to Bellflower with his family at that time. Mr. Gronstrand remained a Bellflower resident until his passing.