Remembering those who fell

It doesn't get much attention, being that his house is off the main drag.

But Jerry Kester's 253-cross front-lawn salute to U.S. war dead gets the occasional drive-by stare of appreciation, or pedestrian pause.

For several years, around Veteran's Day, Kester, 72, has planted hand-made white crosses representing each Yuba County resident killed in the line of duty.

"I've had people come by and recognize the names," says the East Marysville resident and retired U.S. Air Force jet engine mechanic. "One guy pivoted, saluted the flag, then pivoted again and walked on."

This year, Kester's yard at 1516 Swezy Street features 121 additional crosses honoring fallen Sutter County service members.

Each 10-by-6-inch cross bears the last name of the deceased, military branch, rank and the conflict in which he or she died. The markers represent U.S. casualties from World War I, World War II, The Korean War, Vietnam, and current conflicts overseas.

Kester began woodworking ten years ago, and soon after, started making crosses out of scrap wood to replicate a memorial he saw once.

The hobby, he says, "keeps my mind occupied, keeps me out of the bars, and keeps me out of my wife's hair."

He got the names out of veteran memorial sites in Marysville and Yuba City, and keeps track of any recent casualties, via the newspaper.

"I made extra crosses," Kester says, looking out over his work, "but I hope I don't have to use 'em."

Kester's own service from 1954 to 1977 was unusual in that he somehow managed to return home for Christmas every year.

He has never known any other career military service member to be so lucky.

"It's important," he says, "not to forget all those who gave up all their holidays for our own."

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Nancy Pasternack at 749-4712 or at npasternack@appealdemocrat.com.