Ceremonial Groundbreaking for Castro Valley Veterans Memorial

Submitted by: Michael L. Emerson, Memorial Designer & Project Manager

Castro Valley, CA - The much-anticipated Castro Valley Veterans Memorial will take another step toward becoming reality Saturday, March 3, 2012 when the project breaks ground at Castro Valley Community Park. Local elected officials, organizers, donors, veterans and members of the public will gather at 1 PM to mark this milestone and to emphasize the need for additional donations.

The Castro Valley Veterans Memorial is an effort by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #9601 to honor the men and women who have honorably served our nation and defended and continue to defend our freedom and way or life.

“To date, many people from Castro Valley and surrounding communities have contributed to the Memorial because they have not forgotten the sacrifices made by veterans,” said Memorial Designer/Project Manager Michael L. Emerson. “We will not forget their sacrifices, and we will not lose that connection to our neighbors and family members who have served. This Memorial will be a visually stunning yet dignified reminder of the sacrifices veterans have made and why we are free.”  Emerson is a Marine Corps veteran who also created and built the Flight 93 Memorial in Union City, CA.

Almost all of the funds required to build the veterans memorial on Lake Chabot Road have been raised, but more donations are still needed. Go to: www.cvvm.info/donate.html for more information and to make a tax deductible donation.

Among the invited guests for Saturday’s ground breaking are State Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, State Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski and Alameda County Sheriff Gregory J. Ahern.

A 17-piece band from the U.S.S. Hornet Museum will add to the military atmosphere.