Honor a vet with a brick at Christmas Hill

The Veterans Memorial at Christmas Hill Park honors Gilroyans who have served the country, but space for the commemorative bricks is running out.
“There are nearly 600 bricks already in place, and we only have space for about 80 more,” said Bob Diaz, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6309, which sells the bricks. “This is a lasting way to honor our veterans.”
The brick pavers, for a donation of $75, can include up to two lines of 20 spaces. Pavers typically include the veteran’s name, branch of service and dates served. Applications are available through the VFW or at the Veterans Memorial Hall at 74 West Sixth Street in Gilroy.
The VFW John A. Berry Post 6309 established the Veterans Memorial on the Ranch Site of Christmas Hill Park in June 2006. The monument features the logos of the six branches of military service, three flag poles and the brick pavers honoring local veterans.
In August 2014 the final brick was placed, however there is still demand for more bricks by local veterans and their families. As a result, the Gilroy City Council approved the expansion for up to 160 more spaces for the bricks.
Founded in Gilroy in 1946, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309 is a patriotic veterans’ organization that fosters camaraderie among veterans of overseas conflicts. Its mission is to serve the veterans and the community and to advocate on behalf of all veterans. Worldwide there are more than 2 million VFW members. In Gilroy, there are nearly 300 members.