During the 14th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Wrightwood on May 30, 2022, Grayson Rushworth and his mother Wendi Schwab both received a plaque presented by the Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Committee for their huge contribution in creating the Honor Brick Memorial in the courtyard of the Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Park, located on Evergreen Road between Park and Pine roads in the village. Grayson explained that his grandfather was a United States Navy Veteran and when Grayson was little, he would tell him stories about heroes that served the country. This created a huge desire to honor his grandfather and other veterans with a memorial to show gratitude and honor to all veterans past and present.
In 2019, Grayson completed his Eagle Scout Project after undertaking a massive task of installing over 11,000 bricks in the courtyard at the Wrightwood Veterans Memorial Park. Grayson, Wendi, and many volunteers, along with help from the WWVMC the project was completed. Grayson and Wendi continue to take orders and personally add the newly engraved Honor Bricks twice a year. This year 34 veterans honor bricks were placed for the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Family and friends of a veteran past or present order the engraved bricks with the names of their honored veteran hero from all branches of the United States Military. The newly engraved bricks are installed before the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies each year. Anyone wishing to order in time for Veterans Day 2022 please order by August 1st, contact Wendi Schwab at 760-900-9004 or www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/wvmeagle
Local Wrightwood Veteran Allan Miller was the Master of Ceremony welcoming hundreds of community folks that had gathered on this beautiful Monday morning on Memorial Day in the mountain, underneath the trees. Pastor Dave Conrad did a peaceful invocation inviting divine presence and blessing over the ceremony. The Color Guard proudly presented the colors, the Boy Scouts led the community in the Pledge of Allegiance. Claudia Campbell sang the National Anthem with pride, grace, and elegance. Local Wrightwood residents Tom Pinard and Lora Steinmann read off the 34 names of the Veterans added to the Honor Bricks. Lora Steinmann, Michelle Schneider, and the Men’s Choir sang the songs of each branch of the military as veterans stood as their branch of the military was sung out. The Boy Scouts raised the American Flag gracefully. The Girl Scouts laid the wreath solemnly. And, the choir sang “This Is My County” and “America The Beautiful.”
Harlan Lassiter was commended for his help taking care of many tasks at the Veterans Memorial and during events such as this one. Pastor Dave offered the Benediction prayer for God to look over the country, military, and their families.
