Home Discovery Bay & Byron Joey Graves Veterans Memorial Gymnasium Revealed

Joey Graves Veterans Memorial Gymnasium Revealed

by ECT

I had a chance to speak with Discovery Bay CSD Director Kevin Graves last night about the fabulous tribute that finally occurred at Excelsior Middle Schoool in Byron where the gymnasium now is called the “Joey Graves Veterans Memorial Gymnasium”. The gym honors his son who died in Baghdad in 2006 while serving our country.

Graves explained that there was a lot of emotions in finally seeing this tribute become a reality as it had taken six-years to occur which began in November 2006 due to how Measure S money was spent.

“I knew it was coming, we talked about the design and I had a vision in my head. Finally seeing  it, it  stirred so many emotions to see something so permanent with his name on it. For years to come, kids will ask why this is called the Joey Graves Gymnasium and there will be a plaque explaining who he was. This is absolutely unbelievable,” said Graves.

He was very appreciative of the effort of all the folks involved from the community to the past and present school boards.

“I am really proud of the community for stepping up,” said Graves. “They had the initiative to honor and individual who grew up here and went on to serve his country.”

According to Kevin Graves, there will be a celebration and dedication in the future, however, the details are not yet being revealed at this time.

Via Some Gave All – The Joey Graves Foundation

This is the front of the new spectacular gymnasium at Excelsior Middle Schoool in Byron! Joey graduated from Excelsior in 1999. I can’t convey the emotions that stir within. I am so grateful to the BUSD Board of Trustees and Superintendents, past and present, that made the proclamation back in 2006, and then followed through to make, what at times seemed like an impossibility, a reality.

Stay tuned for details of the dedication. We want it to be a meaningful community event!

The Story of Spc. Joseph A. Graves

As the proud family of  Spc. Joseph A. Graves, US Army, we would like to thank you for the overwhelming support in celebrating his life. I thought I would share a little about Joey with you, how he grew up and what influenced his life. This might give some insight as to the reason that Joey, along with thousands of others, volunteer to join the military, to protect our freedoms, to fight terrorism, and to liberate those around the globe who suffer under regimes of tyrants.

Joe’s mother, Maryan Perriera, and I divorced when he was three years old. For the next seven years Joey was raised by his mother. Yet we still did a lot of things together. Cub scouts, Little League, the usual stuff. His mother and I vowed that we would always do what was best for Joe. We have stood by that faithfully, even to this day, by participating in events together to honor his memory and celebrate his life.

When Joey was 9, his mother and I decided that he should come live with me. The next nine years were the greatest of my life. Joe and I were best friends and we truly participated in each other’s lives. He taught me to be a dad as I did my best to teach him to be a man.

Joey was always active in our church and this is when his understanding and acceptance of Christ occurred. He took a leadership role in the Youth Group and later, during his tour in Korea and in Iraq, he showed how important his faith was to him, as he started a Bible Studies and led other soldiers to Christ.

At seventeen years of age, much to my surprise, he decided to enlist in the Army through the delayed entry program. He chose the Military Police, because his goal was to be a FBI field agent. He graduated from Liberty High School with a 3.8 GPA and went to Basic Training. We were extremely proud of him.

After completing Basic, Joe went to jump school to get his wings. He then went to Yong San, Korea for a year’s tour. Joey returned from Korea in March 2005 and after spending a short time at home on block leave, he and I made the long drive to Ft. Hood, Texas. This was a great road trip and the last time we would we spend a lot of time together.

On September 24, 2005 Joey married his high school sweetheart, Cori Manningas. Two weeks later and a month before deployment, he returned home, to Discovery Bay, to be the best man at my wedding. Three weeks later he was deployed.

Over the next eight months, I heard from Joe often. Whenever I showed concern, he would always say, ‘Don’t worry Dad, we’re in one of the safest areas of Iraq’. That wasn’t exactly true.

On 25 Jul 06, 1st Platoon was on an escort mission outside of Baghdad. 400 meters from the next checkpoint they were hit by what was described as a ‘well orchestrated ambush’.

There was one casualty. Joe, my only son, my only child, was killed when his HumVee was struck by multiple IED’s. I cannot find the words to express how proud we are of Joey.

We, his family, love Joey very much. We also love this country and are proud to be Americans. We know first hand, that ‘Freedom is not Free’. Again, thank you for your patriotism, your support and for honoring a soldier, a son, a husband and a friend.

Website: http://somegaveall.net/

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4 comments

JimSimmons42 Sep 14, 2012 - 7:34 am

This really is a class act by the school board. After six years, about time!

Michelle Williams Sep 14, 2012 - 7:40 am

Amazing story and this is really great to see.

JAJAMES304 Sep 14, 2012 - 8:24 am

This is great to read something like this and honoring our troops. Wish there was more of this kind of honoring done in East County.

Bob Sep 14, 2012 - 8:44 am

A very fitting honor for his son. A hat tip also to Kevin, who does so much for the community and other military families via the Some Gave All Foundation.

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