New Evans High School Memorial Honors Fallen Vietnam Veterans
The monument stands at the entrance to the school’s stadium next to a statue of the school’s mascot, a Trojan warrior. Orange County School District Superintendent Barbara Jenkins addressed a crowd heavy with Evans alumni and military families about the American soldiers killed in Vietnam.
“Twenty-three were Evans graduates," said Jenkins. "And so we’ve invited those families and friends of those 23 to be with us here today as we memorialize not only their history here at Evans High School where they were Trojans, but where they were Trojans on the battlefield in defense of our country and in defense of our freedom.”
After the monument was unveiled, family members of the fallen vets were called forward by Former Democratic Florida Congressman Dick Batchelor (Evans class of ‘66), who led the fundraising effort for the project. They each received a folded flag once flown over Washington DC from Republican Florida US Congressman Dan Webster (Evans class of ’67).
The memorial replaces the school’s old one. It was built in the late 60s and had fallen into disrepair. The school campus itself is also brand new – the retooled Evans High opened earlier this year.