Community gathers to honor fallen heroes at Faces of Freedom Memorial

By Camille DeVaul · Wed May 27 2026

Hundreds attended Memorial Day ceremony recognizing Gold Star Families and local veterans

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero community gathered Monday, May 25, at the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial for the 18th Annual Memorial Day Celebration, honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States.

Hosted by the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation, the ceremony drew hundreds of attendees to the memorial at the corner of Highway 41 and Morro Road for a morning of remembrance, reflection, and community tribute.

The annual event featured several patriotic traditions, including a flyover by the Estrella Warbirds, a Color Guard presentation by Scouting America Troops 51 & 70 accompanied by the Central Coast Pipes and Drums, and a wreath presentation honoring local veterans.

Gold Star Families — immediate relatives of service members who died in the line of duty — were also recognized during the ceremony, while the Welcome Home Military Flag Line paid tribute to veterans and active-duty service members.

This year’s guest speaker was Dick Mason of K-Jewel radio, who joined community leaders and veterans organizations in reflecting on the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces throughout the nation’s history. Mason, who has emceed the event for several years, provided the crowd with a history of the first Memorial Day.

"My focus was really about the welfare of veterans," Mason shared with Atascadero News.

Mason was drafted into the Vietnam War in January of 1971. Coming in at the end of the war, he spent the majority of two years at Fort Hill, Oklahoma. However, it's his father's story as a World War II veteran that motivates him in his support for veterans.

"My dad got the brunt of World War II. I realized later in life, [he] suffered for it, and that generation, they didn't really talk about it," Mason shared. "They just came home and went to work and had families, and that was just the way life was."

Mason's father was drafted into World War II on the day of his graduation from medical school in 1942. He went to North Africa, was involved in the invasion of Sicily, the invasion of Italy, and then he was sent to England, and was part of D-Day, and the Battle of the Bulge, and then was there for the liberation of Auschwitz.

Mason then shared a quote from President George Washington:

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated."

Mason shared information for a local nonprofit organization, Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA), dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services.

More information on the organization can be found at t-mha.org

The Faces of Freedom Memorial has become a central place of remembrance in North County, honoring local veterans and providing a space for the community to gather in gratitude and reflection each Memorial Day. The Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the memorial, continues its mission of honoring those who have bravely served the country while ensuring their legacy is remembered for future generations.

Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to stay for a community barbecue hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Atascadero, offering an opportunity for fellowship and continued remembrance.

Community members can support the foundation through commemorative bricks that are still available for purchase to support the preservation and ongoing maintenance of the Faces of Freedom Memorial. You can find more information at visit facesoffreedommemorial.org

There are many veteran organizations in San Luis Obispo County and many in North County itself. There are American Legion posts in Paso Robles, Templeton, and San Luis Obispo, and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts in Paso Robles and Atascadero. There is a satellite office for the county’s veteran services at the Paso Robles Veteran Center. 

To find more information on SLO County veteran services, visit slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Veterans-Services.aspx