VFW Post Honoring Veterans, Brick By Brick

The story of local veterans' service is being told at VFW Post 10209, one brick at a time.

There's the brick honoring Marine Pfc. Wesley A. Moyle, "KIA VIET NAM 1967."

Another commemorates the time that Julius Seles Sr. served the Navy between 1951 and 1954.

And several are carved with the name of Edward Noll, a former Navy signalman and the post's late past commander who gave his blessing for the project but died before it came to fruition.

The bricks surround an 8-foot by-10 foot reflecting pool and a ceramic bald eagle, wings spread as if preparing to take flight.

The post, at 14736 Edward Noll Drive, is selling the bricks for $50 apiece, which includes the cost of up to three lines of engraving with a maximum of 21 characters per line.

Post member "Wild" Bill Taylor pitched the idea for the "Freedom Walk" a few years ago to Noll after seeing similar endeavors at other posts throughout the country.

"It's a way to honor our servicemen," said Taylor, an 85-year-old former Marine paratrooper who landed at Guadalcanal.

Among the bricks is one bought by Taylor's daughter, who had her father's name and service information carved into it.

"So when I die in a couple of years, I'll be honored," Taylor said, cracking a smile.

The bricks don't have to feature the names of local veterans, and don't need to honor a veteran at all. Simple thank you messages are welcome, too, Taylor said.

The post has already sold about 500 bricks but has plenty of room for hundreds more. Officials have set a goal of at least 2,000.

"This will be an ongoing thing for as long as the post is here," said Jim O'Brien, the post's adjutant.

The post makes $30 on each brick and has already brought in about $15,000. Some of the money has already gone back into the memorial to build a sidewalk and a chain barrier around the pool, which was donated by Sun Pools in Brooksville.

Plans call for benches, trees and shrubs to be planted around the memorial.

"People will be able to sit in the shade and reflect on their friends and family," O'Brien said.

The money also will be used for programs and to maintain the post's new building.

In a separate but similar effort, the post is selling engraved dog tags to be placed under the glass bar top in the cantina.

For information on the Freedom Walk or the dog tags, call the post at 796-0398.