 | | | Photo rendering of monument. Image provided | | | | | | The Lafayette War Veterans, comprised of members of American Legion Post 517 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8026, have announced plans to erect a monument to honor service members from Contra Costa County who have lost their lives in service to our country since 9/11. According to a recently compiled list there are 18 service members from the county, ranging in age from 18 to 43, who will be honored on the monument when it is dedicated and the design will allow for the inscription of additional names when the circumstance arises
The monument is to be constructed of three large slabs of granite and will be installed in the circle near the entrance to the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Center and plans are to illuminate it at night as is currently done with the flags. Plans for a suitable way to honor the sacrifice of local service members has been discussed for many years and much credit for helping to move this project along goes to Lafayette resident Yolanda Vega whose son Jonathon lost his life in 2008 in Afghanistan. The target date for dedication of the monument is April to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Jonathon's passing.
A fundraising effort has been launched this week with an anonymous gift of $25,000 to support an estimated total cost for the project of $50,000. The Lafayette War Veterans have guaranteed to make up any shortfall in the project cost to ensure its timely completion.
Contributions for the project can be directed as follows: Lafayette War Veterans - Memorial Fund, PO Box 501, Lafayette, CA 94549. For more information, contact Mike Gilson at (925) 766-6114 or info@lafayetteveterans.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA