The Atascadero Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial, located at the intersection of Highway 41 and Portola Road in Atascadero, needs your help.
The memorial honors veterans throughout the county and was recognized some years ago as the official San Luis Obispo County Veterans Memorial. It was designed, built and paid for by community volunteers to honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to the nation and describes the conflicts in which they served.
The Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation (AVMF) is responsible for maintaining the memorial and coordinates ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to honor veterans and their families.
At the outset of the endeavor to build the memorial, multiple volunteer groups comprising more than 50 volunteers came together to contribute. Since its dedication in November 2008, the organization’s numbers have dwindled to less than 15 members. Now they are asking for people to join the organization in order that they might continue to host annual ceremonies on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day which may not be possible without additional volunteers. Volunteers don’t have to be a veteran or even know a veteran, they just need to be willing to participate.
The group meets at 6 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2814 located at the corner of Highway 41 West and Santa Rosa Street in Atascadero. You may contact the AVMF President Al Fonzi at (805) 423-5482 for further information.