Oceanside Police Lt. Valencia Saadat touches the new plaque on display at the Veteran’s Association facility. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
OCEANSIDE–Retired members of the Oceanside Police and Fire Departments gathered Tuesday at the Veteran’s Association of North County to dedicate a plaque in honor of officers and fire crews.
The current location of the Veteran’s Association building, located at 1617 Mission Avenue, once housed the Oceanside Police Department from 1968 to 1999. A former grocery store serves the home of 220 police officers.
Retired Oceanside Police Department Captain Steve Scarano organized and led the event. He says the tribute was not about the facility, but about the men and women in uniform who served the city of Oceanside.
“This building is just a vessel, a container to hold all of us and the things we stood for,” Scarano said.
Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy says the building will serve North County veterans’ programs and services.
“This building has turned into a positive program for our veterans,” Chief McCoy said.
A bronze-squared plaque, donated by two anonymous sources, was displayed in the front entrance of the Veteran’s Association facility.
The Veterans Association of North County (VANC), an association of more than 30 different veteran organizations serving over 5,000 members. For the first time in the history of North San Diego County, VANC is establishing a new facility for all veterans and their families — the Veterans Association of North County Resource Center. Join us in honoring the men and women who have protected our freedom by helping VANC complete this important and much needed facility.
Veterans Association of North County (VANC), located in Oceanside, California, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization created by a group of dedicated veterans to empower other veterans, members of the military, and their families by providing needed support and resources.
