$10,000 donation honors Vietnam veteran, advances Veterans Park monument project

By Camille DeVaul · Thu Aug 13 2026

Paso Robles couple gives in memory of Norm Jukes as plans move forward for a new monument honoring local veterans

PASO ROBLES — A $10,000 donation in memory of a local Vietnam veteran is helping move forward plans for a new monument honoring veterans at Paso Robles’ Veterans Park.

Sandy and Bob Simoni donated the funds on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to the VFW Post 10965 and American Legion Post 50 to support the Veterans Park Monument Project. The donation was made in memory of Sandy Simoni’s father, Norm Jukes, a Vietnam veteran whose military service is being remembered through the contribution.

VFW Post 10965 Commander Leo Castillo said the donation represents an important step for the project, which has been in development since 2025.

"This donation is a tremendous step forward for our project," Castillo said. "The importance of this gift cannot be overstated it catapults us into moving forward with the Veterans Park Monument Project and stands as an inspiration for others to contribute in support of honoring our veterans."

American Legion Post 50 Commander Tim Francis also expressed appreciation for the gift.

"We are deeply grateful for this generous gift in memory of Norm Jukes," Francis added. "Donations like this one move us closer to completing a monument our community and our veterans truly deserve."

The contribution comes as organizers work to turn a preliminary monument concept into a permanent installation at Veterans Park.

The Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved moving forward with the preliminary concept in May. The proposed monument would be located south of the Veterans Memorial Building on the site of a former playground.

The project was first brought to the city in March 2025, when Castillo approached city officials with plans for VFW Post 10965 to design, fund, and construct a monument honoring military veterans. City staff subsequently worked with Castillo and Paso Robles blacksmith sculptor Max Randolph to identify a location and develop the concept.

The proposed sculpture would stand more than 20 feet tall and feature six military swords, sabers, and cutlasses lifting an olive wreath overhead. The steel-and-copper structure is intended to symbolize the unity of the military branches and the role of service members in preserving peace.

Plans also call for lighting, engraved memorial pavers, and suspended military tags honoring service members.

At the May council meeting, Castillo described the monument as a tribute to the community’s veterans.

“Our community is made up of heroes,” Castillo said. “We want to acknowledge their support, sacrifice, and commitment.”

The monument’s preliminary concept and scale model have been reviewed by city staff, while support letters have been submitted by organizations including the Association of the United States Army and Paso Robles Joint Unified School District. The model has also been displayed at the Veterans Memorial Building, where organizers have received positive feedback from the community.

The $10,000 Simoni donation provides additional momentum as VFW Post 10965 and American Legion Post 50 continue fundraising efforts to bring the project to completion.

Members of the Sons of the American Legion also welcomed the contribution, noting the Simoni family’s commitment to honoring veterans and supporting the community.

"I'm thrilled to welcome the newest member of the Sons of the American Legion," said the Sons of the American Legion Commander Joe Gable. "Bob and Sandy's commitment to community is truly going to make a difference. Their generous donation to the monument project honors and celebrates those who sacrifice and serve, and is a reminder that freedom comes only when we are willing to set ourselves aside to help others. We are blessed to have them in our hometown."

For Sandy and Bob Simoni, the donation offers a way to honor Jukes’ military service while helping create a permanent tribute to veterans in Paso Robles.

VFW Post 10965 and American Legion Post 50 are encouraging community members interested in supporting the Veterans Park Monument Project to contribute toward the ongoing fundraising effort.

More information about the project and donation opportunities is available at vfwpost10965.org/veterans-park-monument

Feature Image: Bob and Sandy Simoni (center) pose with members of VFW Post 10965 and the American Legion behind a model of a monument proposed for Paso Robles Veterans Park. The Simonis donated $10,000 toward the project in memory of Sandy's father, Vietnam veteran Norm Jukes. Photo courtesy of Leo Castillo