Almost 80 years ago, two warriors left Los Alamitos to fight in World War II. The men both died in action in 1944.
The two friends, Delphino Marin-Casado, who enlisted in the Marines, and Lonnie T. Davis, who enlisted in the Army, posthumously returned Sunday as part of a 54-foot-long mural unveiled at American Legion Post 716.
Children watch as a new 12-foot by 54-foot mural is unveiled at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Artist and Veteran Mario Cespedes speaks about his new 12-foot by 54-foot mural during an unveiling ceremony at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Commander Jamie French, from the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, during an unveiling ceremony for a new mural at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A new 12-foot by 54-foot mural is unveiled at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Post 716 Commander Rick Molina speaks during an unveiling ceremony for a new mural at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ron Marin speaks during an unveiling ceremony for a mural featuring his uncle, Marine Delphino Marin-Casado, at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors attend an unveiling ceremony for a new mural at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Children watch as a new 12-foot by 54-foot mural is unveiled at American Legion Post 716 in Los Alamitos, CA, on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces with giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural sits on the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The colorful artwork celebrates all six branches of the U.S. armed forces and includes a tank, a rocket, planes, an aircraft carrier and giant portraits of the namesakes of the Marin-Davis American Legion Post. The mural decorates the north side of the building facing Oak Middle School.
Artist and veteran Mario Cespedes said it took him six months of late nights and hot days to complete the piece on the biggest wall he’s ever painted.
“It’s a dedication to service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Cespedes, who served in the Marines and Army and is a member of the post.
“I’m really proud to show off the memory of Defino Marin-Casado and Lonnie T. Davis,” he added. “I hope that this mural can help serve their memory and preserve their legacy.”
