by Michelle Nhi Nguyen, staff writer/photographer
Fountain Valley High School made history last May when they planted an Elm tree seed that came directly from the Liberty Tree, donated by the Huntington Beach Host Lions.
The Huntington Beach Lions, part of the world’s largest service organization, Lions Club International, dedicated this American Liberty Elm Tree seed in honor of all veterans who fought for freedom.
John Patrick Doogan, a Lion adult advisor and founder of the Fountain Valley High School Leo club, was able to retrieve the seed for FVHS by contacting the Liberty Tree Society, an organization dedicated to the celebration of the “Liberty Tree.”.
“Being a military veteran, [the seed] means a lot to me. The plans for the American Revolution was planned under the original American Liberty Elm Tree, so it represents all of what our veterans have given to ensure our freedoms and liberties,” Doogan said.
FVHS Leo Club assisted with the hour-long planting ceremony, which featured a flag folding ceremony, 21-gun salute, Gunnery Sgt. Damos Suties, a World War II survivor of “Iwo Jima”, and local dignitaries. Other attendees included several veterans, members of the navy and army, the president of Kiwanis, and the mayor of Fountain Valley.
“I was honestly awestruck [during the ceremony],” current Vice President of FVHS Leo Club Tran To (‘17) said. “It really made you appreciate what the veterans did for both you and the country…even if not many people knew about it.”
Today, the Liberty Tree continues to live on in good health thanks to the care of Doogan and the maintenance staff of FVHS.
“It is [the Lions’] hope this tree will inspire and encourage future generations to remember the history of the founding of our country and recognize the role of freedom, and those who fought for this freedom, in the lives of all Americans,” Doogan said.
