Thanks to the approval of the Gilroy City Council, the Veterans Memorial at Christmas Hill Park will be expanded. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309 is now taking orders for commemorative bricks for the expansion project.
“We are delighted to continue offering a lasting way to honor our veterans,” said Bob Diaz, VFW commander. “However, the 160 new spaces won’t last long. This community is so proud of our veterans.”
The brick pavers can include up to two lines of 20 spaces each for a donation of $75. 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 St. 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 more than 500 bricks 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 to make way for 160 more 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 two million VFW members. In Gilroy, there are nearly 300 members.
