Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park

Lance Corporal Joseph Tyler Welke was killed in action during the Battle of Fallujah in November 2004. A few years ago, MGySgt Glenn Denton, the founder of Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park, met LCPL Welke's father in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The two men began talking about the Marines. The father thanked Denton for his service and then shared his son's story. Moved by the father's love for his son, Camp Hamilton planted a tree in memory of LCPL Welke. It was Memorial Day tree planting for Joseph Welke that eventually inspired this online database, podcast, and future virtual museum. Joseph Welke's memory lives on at Camp Hamilton.

CPL Francisco G. Rodriguez served in the US Army during World War II and Korea. Glenn Denton, the founder of Camp Hamilton, was not at the tree dedication ceremony. If you knew CPL Rodriguez, please contact us at camphamilton.org.

Veterans are honored at Camp Hamilton, regardless of whether the veteran was killed in action or died at home. Jaclyn Ann Kvasnicka was a U.S. Army Reservist when she was killed in an auto accident on Rosedale Highway. She and her friends were on their way home from work when a drunk driver hit the car. Jaclyn's family still comes out to Camp Hamilton to gather around her memorial tree.

Calvin Brown was recruited by Glenn Denton in the 1970s. Calvin put in the walkway from the Crow Bar down to the road down below. Calvin Brown's funeral services were held at Camp Hamilton per his wishes. When the family cleaned out Calvin's apartment after his death, Calvin had one thing on his wall - his USMC acceptance certificate, which was signed by Glenn Denton and his commanding officer.

This tree is a family tree dedicated to MSgt William H. Crawford and SSgt William H. Crawford, Jr. The elder Crawford ran a way station at the Shafter Airport after his retirement from the USMC. When the younger Crawford returned from the Persian Gulf, the only time he was comfortable was when he visited Camp Hamilton.

PFC Nathan Thomas was called "Tinny." He was killed just before Glenn Denton joined the Marine Corps. He was a machine gunner. Denise Hodge, who was with PFC Thomas when he was killed in action, dedicated this tree to PFC Thomas.

Lowell Haggard served in WWII. He was the brother of Merle Haggard. Because of Lowell, Merle's son Marty Haggard joined the Marine Corps.

1st Lieutenant Robert Paz who served with Glenn Denton in Golf 2/7. The two men also did Special Ops in Panama. Robert's death would start the U.S. Intervention in Panama in 1989.

Lt Col Bill McGinley was a Catholic Chaplain in WWII. He was one of Joe Kirk's tree.

1st Lt George Austin was a WWII vet who served with the 101st Airborne. Joe Kirk from Shafter dedicated the tree in Lt Austin's honor.

Corporal William A. Comly served with Glenn Denton in Golf 2/7 in Vietnam. CPL Comly was made a fire team leader. In March 1970, Denton was taken to the rear to prepare for home. Cpl Comly took Denton's place as the squad leader. Denton had to identify Cpl Comly's body because no one else in the squad knew him well enough.

Chief Warrant Officer Henry C. Knight was killed in action on 20 October 1968. His tree was dedicated by Joe Kirk of Shafter.

Lance Corporal Jack Lackey was in a different platoon from Glenn Denton but was with Golf CO 2/7. Denton explains the size of a battalion during the Vietnam War in this episode.

PFC Kenith Jarrell had just arrived in Vietnam when he was killed in action. He had been in the country for 10 days and was a part of Golf CO 2/7 with Glenn Denton. He died on the first day of battle from August 23 to 29, 1969.

PFC Louis Herman of the United States Marine Corps. He was killed 29 August 1969 while serving with Glenn Denton. The battle began on the 23rd of August.

2nd Lt. John P. Picket served with Glenn Denton. He was killed in action 12 October 1969. His platoon was ambushed on a mountain. By the time Glenn Denton's squad arrived, 2nd Lt Picket had been killed and the Platoon Sergeant Richard Glenn had been wounded. When the Golf Co 2/7 carried Lt Picket's body down the mountain, the North Vietnamese Army attempted to gas the squad as they left.

PFC L.C. Bikakis was the uncle of the Kern County Veterans' Service Officer Chuck Bikakis. PFC Bikakis was killed on the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Doug Tuttle was a friend of Doc Howard. He was a friend of our original Corpsman of Camp Hamilton. His life and service are honored at Camp Hamilton.

Camp Hamilton is a Veterans Memorial Park in Kern County, California. Veterans who served during war and peacetime are honored here. Parker Hapgood was a veteran who served in World WWII and earned a Bronze Star.

Camp Hamilton is a Veterans Memorial Park in Kern County, California. Veterans who served during war and peacetime are honored here. Jimmy Payer was a good friend of Doc Howard who planted a tree in his honor.