The 40-year-old Redwood Tree Memorial honoring hometown hero 1st Lt. Toby R. Gritz, USMC, on Fillmore High School's main campus received a much needed makeover this summer, thanks to a Boy Scout on a special mission.
The popular spot located in the front of the venerable high school is the focus of Boy Scout Troop 406 of Fillmore; namely as an Eagle Scout project by candidate Roberto Munoz. Harold Foy, owner of Fillmore Building Supply, donated materials and hundreds of hours, and served as technical expert throughout the lengthy project.
“The memorial serves as a tribute to a truly great American, and honors and educates new generations about service and sacrifice,” said Bob MacKenzie, brother of Toby Gritz. “Our family wants to thank Eagle Candidate Robert Munoz, Harold Foy, and the many, many members of the community without whose dedication and hard work this day would not be possible.”

The public is invited to the rededication on Saturday, August 18th, 2012, at 2:00 P.M.

Toby's classmates of 1962, friends, family, supporters, Scouts, and others will come together in celebration and remembrance. In addition, the Pasadena-based 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will present the colors at the event.

The project included removing extraneous overgrown plants, weeds and roots, replacing curbing, and installing a concrete bench where students can rest and enjoy the site. The Fillmore School District Board and others have worked closely with the Scouts, Mr. Foy, and the family to ensure a coordinated, successful effort. The Gritz-MacKenzie family has provided a state-of-art bronze plaque which caps off the memorial. It depicts a smiling 1st Lt. Toby Gritz in Marine uniform and a Cobra gunship —the kind he was flying when he perished in Vietnam on March 25, 1970.

Toby was very popular in and around Fillmore, and subsequently at Ventura Junior College, where he was voted "The Smiling Irishman" in 1963. He was on his second tour in Vietnam when he was killed at age 25 in a mid-air collision above Marble Mountain Air Base, Viet Nam, that also took the lives of three other Marines.

Four of Toby’s brothers became Eagle Scouts and all five served in the military. Several will be present at the ceremony. Attending will be Toby’s brothers Major Bob MacKenzie, U.S. Army (Ret.), of Tumwater, WA, Former Army Captain Rock MacKenzie, of Burbank, and Col. Tom MacKenzie, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.), from Lawrenceville, GA. It is hoped that twin brothers Col. John Gritz, U.S. Army (Ret.), Eagan, MN, and Chief Warrant Officer Four Paul Gritz, U.S. Army (Ret.), Clarksville, TN. will be able to attend the ceremony.

Refreshments will be served immediately after the celebration at Central Grill, 345 Central Ave in Fillmore. Family members and friends will provide period music.

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2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines (2/23)
"Prepared and Professional"
4th Marine Division ~ 23rd Marine Regiment
The 2/23 is a reserve infantry battalion whose mission is to provide trained combat personnel and units to augment and reinforce the active component in time of war, national emergency, and at other times as national security requires. The 2/23 is comprised of H&S Co (Pasadena, CA), Echo Co (San Bruno, CA), Fox Co (Salt Lake City, UT and Las Vegas, NV), Golf Co (Los Alamitos, CA) and Weapons Co (Port Hueneme, CA). . For additional information about 2/23, please visit the official unit web page or the official USMC web site www.usmc.mil. At: http://www.marines.mil/unit/marforres/4thMarDiv/23rdMar/2ndBn/Pages/defa...
Tom R. MacKenzie
COL USAR (Retried) (Formerly Tom Gritz)