Memorial Day 2020

As we begin the new decade, it  is with great  pleasure that we can announce that the CVVM Expansion project has  begun!!!!!! After years of fund raising, hard work, a couple of false  starts and a generous bid by Bridges Construction, ground broke on the  project Christmas Week. As of this writing, the back retaining wall has  been completed. The rebarb has been formed and we are ready to pour the  base/ side walk. We will then let the concrete "cure" for a month before  placing the new Granite Service Stones.  (FYI, never put 2 ton stones  on wet cement.) It will then be down to installing the pavers and  benches and beautifying the landscape. I should add a big shout out to  Post Members, Hank, Rick and Kasey for the lighting and electrical work  they did prior to pouring the concrete. The whole project should be  completed by mid March - early April, depending on weather. Which means  that the Rededication Ceremony will happen in late April or in  conjunction with our Memorial Day Services, which we will decide during  our monthly meetings. To follow the construction and see pix of the  project, and for all updates, please visit cvvm.info . 

I would like to thank all the members that had a hand in this: Jeff,  Jim, Tony, Pat, Rick, Hank and Kasey (who is coordinating the project).  Also a big shout out to Bob Mattos, without whom the planning and stone  work would not have happened, and to Robert Bridges whose  Construction  Company and hard working professionals made it happen. 

What all this means for the Post Members and the reason for the  Expansion, if you would like to memorialize someone or a group, now is  the time. Visit the above web site, fill out the form and submit ASAP.  We would like to engrave as many names on the stones prior to placing  them on the Memorial. We will start the engraving in March, so all forms  must be submitted prior to the end of Feb. If not, there is no  guarantee that the name will be placed in time for the dedication  Ceremony.  So please get the forms in now!!! 

With all this going on, it's easy to forget all the other events by  the Post. The Honor Guard conducted over 50 Funeral/ Honor details last  year. The yearly Crab feed on Feb 29th is nearly sold out. The Golf  Tournament is  on May 30th. The Semi Annual Bocce Tournaments are in  June and Oct.  The Quarterly visits to the Livermore CLC and so much  more. So please come to the monthly meetings and stay involved with all  our events. 

Of course, all of this is so we can complete our number one job, help  servicemen in need. Let's find these Brother and Sisters in Arms and  give them all the support we can. 

In Fellowship

Stephen West, Commander
VFW Post 9601
Castro Valley, CA