Home Brentwood Candlelight Vigil for Veterans Home Shooting Set for March 14

Candlelight Vigil for Veterans Home Shooting Set for March 14

by ECT

Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis, in conjunction with the Brentwood Rotary Club and Veterans Organizations in the county have organized a candlelight vigil for the community to gather in remembrance of the those who lost their lives in the recent tragedy at The Pathway Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

The vigil will be held on Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 pm at Veterans Park in the City of Brentwood.

The Pathway Home is connected to Brentwood because each year, the Brentwood Rotary Club works to raise funds for the program by participating in the Rotary Ride for Veterans. In their 8-years participating, they have raised over $85,000 for the organization.

According to Brentwood Rotarian Mike Crosby, in 2018, they hope to raise $15,000 to make it an even $100,000. Crosby is also a USAF Lt Col. and is on the Board of Directors at the Pathway Home.

Crosby explained how Supervisor Burgis reached out to him to plan the event.

“She called me on Sunday, I think its important while these people don’t live in Brentwood, this is part of who we are. The Pathway Home is the only veteran’s recovery nonprofit license of its kind and type in the United States,” said Crosby. “Some may ask why Brentwood is doing a vigil, but our city is a veteran supported city and we share the sadness of everyone. We are at Veterans Park, its symbolic. We are here not to memorialize the person who did this, its once again an opportunity to honor and do everything we can who have served our country.”

Crosby said since the shooting, they have been working to ensure services are still provided to those who need help.

“The Board and the community have been working to comfort those other service members who are in the program, to find them a temporary place to reside, and to continue their recovery,” explained Crosby. “Now, more than ever our veterans need our help. As the mayor of Yountville said, the man that perpetrated this was someone who served our country but obviously had demons.”

During Wednesday’s vigil, special guest speakers include Crosby, Nathan D. Johnson of the County Veterans Service Office and Burgis.

Supervisor Burgis said she wanted to put on a vigil out of respect to the veteran community and the work being done by The Pathway House which is funded by contributions and receive no federal, state or local funding.

She credited the Brentwood Rotary and the work of Crosby which connect the two communities.

“I know how much work the Brentwood Rotary Club has done to support the Pathways Home program, this was a huge loss and close to home,” said Burgis. “I think its important for folks to communicate their support and love for our neighbors in Yountville.  We want to raise awareness that there are veterans coming home who need support and that there are people who dedicate their careers to serving the veterans. We need to be aware of that and communicate our support to our friends in Yountville because there is a close relationship between the two communities.”

If You Go:
Wednesday, March 14 at 7:00 pm
Veterans Park in Brentwood, 3841 Balfour Road

For questions or more details call the Office of Supervisor Diane Burgis at 925-252-4500.

Note: 
Here is the March 11 Update from the Pathway House. They announced that it had established a fund to provide direct support to the families of Ms. Loeber and Drs. Gonzales and Golick. Donations can be mailed to 3 Brave Women Fund c/o Mentis, 709 Franklin Street, Napa CA 94559. You can donate directly by clicking here.

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