La Salle College Preparatory held a special dedication ceremony on Saturday, May 20th, unveiling its new ‘Colors of Courage’ Honor Wall, honoring 365 La Salle alumni who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The honor wall was developed and inspired by current La Salle senior Avery Kachmarsky ‘24, who also serves as an Eagle Scout in the Pasadena area.

Over 100 family, friends, and veterans were in attendance at the ceremony, which featured La Salle’s Student Band, who performed the National Anthem accompanied by current student Augustina Matsuura ‘24. Singer, songwriter, and musician, Mr. Scott Martin also performed two moving tributes in recognition of the service and sacrifices made by our veteran alumni. As a special guest speaker and La Salle alumnus, Mr. W. Robert Kohorst ‘71, former U.S. ambassador to Croatia, spoke about his experience as an American diplomat and the selfless service of the servicemen and women he had the opportunity to meet while abroad. The Kohorst family sponsored the U.S. Flag used for the honor wall, which the alumni veteran names are affixed to.

“Our veterans deserve the utmost respect, recognition, and honor for their sacrifice in securing our nation’s freedom,” said Perry Martin, La Salle College Preparatory’s School President, who also serves as a captain in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. “Our Colors of Courage Honor Wall is just one small way we can honor their legacy and their profound dedication to selfless service, personifying our core Lasallian values,” he continued.

Also in attendance were the families and loved ones of five La Salle alumni who were killed in action while serving in the armed forces. At the dedication ceremony, five special chairs were left empty in honor of their memory and the ultimate sacrifice they paid while defending our country.

“This project was inspired by my grandfather’s military service and out of my need to help honor and remember our alumni who also served in the armed forces,” said Kachmarsky, who also serves as the president of La Salle’s ‘Support Our Troops’ student club. “I wanted this wall to serve as a reminder to my fellow students and school community that service takes many forms, and defending our country is one way to give back to the community-at-large,” he continued.