The San Marino Garden Club paid eternal tribute to the memory of United States Marine Lt. J.P. Blecksmith by sponsoring the planting of 200 trees in the Angeles National Forest through the Penny Pines program, which is operated through National Garden Clubs, Inc. Lt. Blecksmith, a former San Marino resident and graduate of Flintridge Prep and the United States Naval Academy, gave his life while leading his platoon during Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2004. The Tribune annually sponsors a 5K walk and run on July 4th in his honor.
