By Sara Beth Williams–
Work on a long-planned veterans memorial wall at the Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights has been completed, and the center is now taking orders for plaques, the nonprofit announced on social media.
A new retaining wall was constructed earlier this month at the Veterans Community Center in Citrus Heights by volunteers with the Elks Lodge of Roseville. Each brick will be able to hold four 4-inch-by-8-inch plaques. The wall was constructed in the center’s back courtyard where multiple events and fundraisers are held year-round.
The nonprofit said plaques are now available for purchase. Those interested can purchase either a 4-inch-by-8-inch or 8-inch-by-8-inch memorial plaque. The tiles will display the person’s name, service rank and branch, and other information, Veterans Community Center facilities manager Vince Robles said.
The idea for a retaining wall that would serve as a veteran’s memorial wall has been years in the making, Veterans Community Center president Michelle Grant said. The project would not be possible but for the generosity of the Elks Lodge of Roseville who has donated time and materials to the project at no cost to the center, Grant said.
Anyone interested in purchasing a plaque can drop by the Veterans Community Center Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to fill out an order form. For questions or more information, the Veterans Center can also be reached at
A 4 by 8 inches tile costs $75.00 and an 8 by 8 inches plaque will cost $150.00 the nonprofit said online.
When asked about what inspired the wall, Grant said all the veterans at the center have inspired her and others toward completing the project. Even nonprofit co-founder Jeanne Rounsavell had suggested the idea for a more permanent memorial wall before her passing, Grant said.
Inside the center, organizers already had established an “honor wall” which honors veterans who have been part of the center who have passed on. Grant said the outdoor retaining wall will be a permanent extension of that.
The Elks Lodge of Roseville regularly partners with the Veterans Community Center on other efforts throughout the year. The vet center is a nonprofit and does not receive any government funding.
Last year, the Elks Lodge of Roseville helped replace a dilapidated wooden boardwalk with a cement sidewalk at the back of the inner courtyard. The Elks Lodge of Roseville also sponsors a lunch for veterans once a month and is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner this year for veterans.
For more information, the Veterans Community Center can be reached at 916-806-4852 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Veterans Community Center is located at 6921 Sylvan Rd. in Citrus Heights.
