VFW Post 8063 members (L-R) Bill Lew (Lafayette), Ted Parker (Orinda), Bill Charles (Orinda), Ed Isely (Moraga) and Terry Murphy (Orinda).
On Dec. 15, a group of veterans from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8063 placed a wreath at the monument to fallen soldiers located at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd., in Lafayette. The monument lists by name and town each service man and woman who has died in the service of their country since Sept. 11, 2001.
The ceremony began with VFW Post 8063 Commander Ed Isely reading each name followed by the tolling of a bell by Bill Charles. After the names were read, Bill Lew and Terry Murphy placed the wreath on the monument while Ted Parker played the bugle. The ceremony ended with the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of taps.
“Today at more than 1,000 cemeteries both military and non-military, tens of thousands of wreaths are being placed on the graves of our fallen heroes,” said Isely. “We were inspired by this to place a wreath here to honor those from Contra Costa County who have died in our country’s service since the vicious attack on our nation in 2001. It is but a small token of our understanding and appreciation of their sacrifice. They gave up all their holidays so that we can have ours. We must remember them.”
