LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – For years, you may have seen a white brick building, a familiar landmark near Oak Middle School, when turning onto Florista St. in Rossmoor. While many residents and students pass by the American Legion Marin-Davis Post 716 building regularly, its true heart and profound mission might not be immediately apparent from the outside. Yet, inside this building is a vibrant, dedicated community that is now preparing to unveil a mural that will forever honor the branches of the military and the selflessness, courage and ultimate sacrifices of local Los Alamitos veterans Pfc. Lonnie T. Davis and Sgt. Delphino Marin-Casado.

The American Legion: Honoring and inspiring for generations

The American Legion is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to serving wartime veterans and creating programs for youth. The specific non-profit in Los Alamitos, Marin-Davis Post 716, was founded on Sept. 26, 1948, with only 43 members. Since then, the organization has touched many lives in the community, such as sponsoring youth in the legion’s baseball program, providing bingo activities for senior citizens and supporting veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with dogs through Patriots and Paws. 

Gallery • 3 Photos

Leah Oh

The "Wall of Heroes & Medal of Honor Display" inside the building pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of local veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Their goal is to promote Americanism, give back to the community and support veterans in all pillars of the military. There are three groups of the American Legion: the Sons of the American Legion (sons and fathers), the Auxiliary (wives and mothers of veterans) and Legionnaires (those who personally served in the military). Currently, Post 716 has about 900 members, 300 members in each of these departments.

Leading the post is Commander Bryan Bell, who has been with the legion for about 10 years. The University of Southern California alum said serving in the military shaped his life and was one of the best decisions he made. He now channels that belief into inspiring a new generation, hoping to instill a similar sense of purpose and commitment in the younger generation.

“The last couple of years, the number of people joining the military (hasn’t been) the same as it used to be. We wanted to come up with a way to inspire youth; part of the reason for the mural was to inspire the next generation to serve but also (to) remember all the great things the military does,” he said.

Post 716 was dedicated in 1962 as a tribute to Private First Class (PFC.) Lonnie T. Davis and Sergeant (SGT.) Delphino Marin-Casado, who were both residents of Los Alamitos. Davis was a U.S. Army veteran killed in action (KIA) in World War II, and Marin-Casado was a Marine KIA during World War II. Davis was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star in World War II for holding an exposed position for three days in operations on Hill 260 at Bougainville, Solomon Islands. Marin-Casado died serving with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Fleet Marine Force in New Britain. (Read more about them here.)

The approximately 46-by-13-feet mural will feature portraits of Davis and Marin-Casado to honor their ultimate sacrifice. It also encompasses all branches of military service: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and the recently added Space Force. The project is funded by the city of Los Alamitos and the American Legion.

The mural: Intricate elements of the military

• Space Force
  • Vandenberg rocket launch on the left
• Air Force
  • Aircraft and battleships in the background
  • B-1 bomber and stealth bomber under title
• Army
  • Tanks and paratroopers (parachutists in the center)
• Marine Corps
  • Paratroopers
  • CH-130 helicopter (used by both the Navy and Marine Corps)
  • Ships on the right
  • Amphibious unit/AmTrac (amphibious tractor)
• Coast Guard
  • Pararescue (rescue swimmers) 
• Flag draped in background, American Legion symbol on right
• Crests of each military branch on the bottom left

Cdr. French graduated from LAHS in ‘98 and then attended and was commissioned by the U.S. Naval Academy. She now leads the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and is a helicopter pilot by trade.

The artist: Painting a message of gratitude

Mario Cespedes is the artist bringing the mural to life. He served as both an Infantryman in the Marine Corps and a Cavalry Scout in the Army; these vastly different assignments — combat operations and peacekeeping missions in Mediterranean countries — gave him invaluable experience. He discovered a passion for art in elementary school and realized that it could express not only what he saw but what he felt.

“When I was young, art inspired me to dream and to believe in something bigger than myself. I want this mural to reignite that spark in others to help them feel something, remember someone or simply see the world in a new way,” Cespedes said.

He began painting the mural in March 2025, but the concepts of the mural formed in August of last year. 

“I wanted the mural to reflect not only their sacrifice but the unity across all branches of the military. Every sketch, every brushstroke, is a tribute to that spirit. Through this piece, I hope to inspire future generations of service members,” he said. 

The intricate process involved prepping the wall (smoothing the entire 576-square-foot surface before being able to lay down paint), scaling the design and keeping elements of the mural aligned. For colors, he started with only the primary colors, red, yellow, blue and white. Before each day’s painting session, he would spend time mixing the colors he would use, a process Cespedes called a “grounding ritual.”

“Before I joined the military, art was my dream, but I knew I needed life experience to make my work truly meaningful. Serving gave me that experience. I’ve seen the world, met people from every walk of life, and now I can bring those stories and emotions into my art,” he said.

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who laid down their lives so we could live in freedom. For veterans, this day is a sacred time to remember those who never came home. 

“We’ll take time to think about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and those who serve. Really, it’s a moment of reflection but also a moment for the community to give back,” Cdr. French said. “There’s tons of volunteer opportunities to help veterans, so take the time for Memorial Day to reflect, but also think about what you could do to help support veterans.”

The journey to complete this mural has taken immense dedication. The product of Cespedes’ months of work will be unveiled at the end of May, a truly magnificent tribute. The American Legion has created a lasting symbol of remembrance that will continue to inspire and educate generations. This mural unites residents in reflection and respect; next time you drive by the no-longer-white-brick building of American Legion Marin-Davis Post 716, take a moment. Let the new mural be a reminder that the legacies of all veterans are remembered and honored, not just on Memorial Day, but every single day.