Joseph Montoya, Remembers artist who did Vietnam POW-MIA mural in Venice To the Editor: The Argonaut, 20 November 2003, 3, 1997, 1994, 1988, 1975, 1955.
"It was a pleasant surprise to see the photograph of the Viet Nam War POW-MIA mural on Pacific Avenue in Venice as part of the Veteran's Day cover of The Argonaut Thursday, November 6th.
" . . .
"The mural was conceived and painted by the late Peter Stewart, with the assistance of others in the veteran community, including many homeless verterans.
"Peter [Stewart] was born in 1955 in California and served more than two years in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in the waters of the South China Sea during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Ranger as a naval aircraft weapons specialist. He was honorably discharged in 1975.
"Peter [Stewart] began his muralist career in 1988.
"His Venice mural, You Are Not Forgotten, lists the names of the 2,273 Americans missing in action from the Vietnam War.
"The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recognized Peter by choosing the mural as a backdrop for presentation of a proclamation marking September 16th, 1994, as POW-MIA Recognition Day.
"The proclamation was presented to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 526 of West Los Angeles and Culver City. Peter attended the presentation both as a muralist and a member of the chapter.
"Another fine example of Peter's work is the National Veterans mural on the grounds of the Veterans Administration West Los Angeles Medical Center, a mural that depicts U.S. military personnel, U.S. military medals, awards and unit insignias.
"Sadly, Peter died in 1997.
". . ."