Edward Kenneth Ferguson

The database page for Edward Kenneth Ferguson

02 May 2003 SAN LORENZO HIGH SCHOOL VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT Eleven former San Lorenzo High School students died while in combat during the Vietnam War. Eight students graduated from San Lorenzo, three transferred from SLZHS before their graduation. In keeping with the desires of the San Lorenzo Veterans Memorial Program team members, all former San Lorenzo students are honored. Edward K. Ferguson Class of 1962 Gary A. Plumb Class of 1962 Michael A. Welch Class of 1963 James D. Burns Class of 1965 Willis G. Cardin Class of 1965 Gerald R. Henry Class of 1965 James D. Piper Class of 1965 San Lorenzo High School VETERANS MEMORIAL PROJECT Steve A. Srsen Class of 1965 David E. Barber Class of 1967 Michael W. Green Class of 1967 Gary L. Giovannelli Class of 1968 The SLZHS Veterans Memorial Project annually awards a scholarship to a deserving SLZHS student in honor of the men named above. Until recently Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Menusa, USMC, was a Marine Corps recruiter at San Lorenzo High School. A veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, GySgt Menusa voluntarily left his recruiting billet in January 2003 for assignment to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division. We now have the sad duty of reporting his death: Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Menusa, USMC Killed in Action in Iraq on 27 March 2003. In addition to his parents and two brothers, he is survived by his wife Stacy and son Joshua, age 3, of San Jose, California. He was buried with honors on 11 April 2003, Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, California. The team members have decided that the 2003 Veterans Memorial Scholarship will not be awarded to an SLZHS student, but will be presented to GySgt Manusa's son Joshua in the form of a savings bond. San Lorenzo High School Attn: Veterans Memorial Program 50 East Lewelling Boulevard San Lorenzo, CA 94580 Telephone: 510/317-3100 x. 2257 slzvets@yahoo.com

18 Jun 2006 While at San Lorenzo High School, Ken and I became pretty good friends. Even though we never ran around together, we were close. One day (believe it was in the Fall of 1967), while at a doctor's office, somewhere around the Eden Area, Ken's sister evidently recognized me and told me of Ken losing his life on July 4, 1967. Although showing no theatrics, I accepted this news about Ken, a person I considered a friend and had a lot or respect for. Having completed four years in the Navy, and then joining the Army three years later, I had often thought of Ken through the years. Then, while visiting one of the many "Traveling Walls" in Redding, I found Kenny's name on Panel 23E, Line 2, and broke down, bawling like a baby. You see, Ken was only five days shy of having "four months" in the Army. I've thought to myself, if I had been with him could I have made a difference; would Kenny, still be alive? I guess we'll never know. What we do know is that my friend Ken answered the call to arms by way of the Selective Service, and through no choice of his own was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam and subsequently placed in harm's way. Ken gave all for this great country of ours. He was a good person; a great friend. For certain, he's in a far greater place than we are. To my Brother-in-Arms, I salute you, and ask that you "keep your natural eye on the natural road", and that be God's Will, we will see one another again. From a friend, Henry F. Cater, Jr. hewhoishfc@aol.com

The point-of-contact for this memorial is those who remember, the SLZHS Veterans Memorial Project slzvets@yahoo.com

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 3 May 2003
Last updated 04/30/2008