LAMORINDA WEEKLY | New memorial unveiled


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The culmination of many years of work, the new memorial outside the Veterans Memorial Center was officially unveiled on April 29. The monument is inscribed with the 23 names of residents of Contra Costa County who gave their lives during active service for their country since 9/11.

With many local dignitaries present, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier spoke of the sacrifice made by the young men and women and of the sacrifice of those families who lost their loved ones.

State Sen. Steve Glazer and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, introduced by Supervisor Candace Andersen, read aloud the names of the fallen, including that of Lafayette native, Senior Airman Jonathan Vega Yelner.

Following the moving ceremony, the large group including Gold Star families, Blue Star Moms, friends and residents went outside where senior members of Boy Scout Troop 243 - a troop to which Yelner had belonged - unveiled the new memorial.