After long wait, Downey adds name of fallen Marine to veterans memorial

Friends and family of Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua Whittle admire his memorial at the Downey Civic Center. (Photos by Alex Dominguez)

DOWNEY — Friends and family of Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua R. Whittle celebrated Tuesday morning when the fallen Marine’s name was officially added to Downey’s veteran’s memorial outside of City Hall.

Whittle, who attended Warren High School and was a former Mr. Downey pageant contestant, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, III Marine Expeditionary Force based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

He had only been in Afghanistan three weeks when he was killed by a landmine on June 6, 2009 in the Helmand Province. He was 20.

“Every Memorial Day we honor and remember those who have died for our country. We pray and recognize all those gold star families,” said Mario Guerra, who mayor at the time of Whittle’s death. “Today we are doing exactly that, but with special purpose: to fulfill the promise our community made to Lance Cpl. Josh Whittle’s mom 13 years ago; a promise that’s rooted in the belief that he was and always will be one of our own, a promise to let future generations know how special those who gave their lives for us are, to make sure we never forget one of our own, and to also remind our city about a courageous young man who wanted to defend our country.”

Former mayor Dr. Roger Brossmer – who was also on the city council at the time of Whittle’s death – made note of the promise that they had made to Whittle’s mother, Crystal, who died last year and never saw her son’s name on the memorial.

“We were very committed to be with the family and support them through that process, and while we had our banner program to represent all of our veterans, at the time we just didn’t have anything significant or appropriate enough to really mark that ultimate sacrifice,” said Brossmer. “That’s what really started our veteran memorial, and then our ability to really remember Josh and everything he gave and that he gave it all for us.

“This is really just a kind of us as a city honoring that promise we made to the family.”

In attendance Tuesday was Darlene Matson, Whittle’s sister.

She said Whittle’s inclusion the memorial was a “beautiful and amazing thing that the city is doing.”

“It’s a huge ball of emotion in a positive way,” said Matson. “Even more so, he’s buried at Riverside National Cemetery; I live in Downey. I think the fact that I have something that I can go to that’s local on those hard days is going to help with my emotional rollercoaster that sometimes I go through on those difficult days, in remembrance of my brother.

“It’s a rollercoaster of emotions, but ecstatic would be one of them.”

There is some belief that Whittle’s name should have been added to the memorial much sooner.

“I think we’re a little slow on it, to be honest with you. I think we should’ve done it sooner,” said Brossmer. “But as shared by some of our American Legion friends, it’s never too late to do the right thing… I think we should have done it sooner; I’m glad it’s getting finally done.”

Guerra added, “It’s always the right time to do the right thing.”

Matson, however, told those in attendance to “not apologize.”

“Words cannot express the enthusiasm that I have, and the honor that I have to be standing before this,” said Matson. “Yeah, it’s 13 years later, and I do keep mentioning everybody keeps saying ‘sorry;’ the reason I’m saying do not apologize is because I’m a firm believer that everything is meant to happen at the exact time that it happens.

“Although his mom isn’t here, and although his mom would have loved to be a part of this, something more meaningful is in her arms, and that’s my brother. So, now that I have that peace of mind knowing that they’re together, I feel like this weighs so heavy on my heart in such a beautiful manner because, yeah, I know originally it was due for Crystal and to be made a promise to his mom, but that promise is not only fulfilled to his mom, but I’m also getting to stand here and be a part of this and be a part of today. I can’t express the gratitude that I have.”