In 2003, the first inscribed bricks, engraved with the names of veterans, were installed in the Walk of Honor at Dyer Gunnell American Legion Post 180 hall on Center Street. For more than six years, inscribed paver bricks replaced blank ones as the dedications grew to 210. On Saturday, Nov. 7, American Legion officers and members replaced eight blank bricks with engraved ones in a respectful program attended by 23 people. As bricks were identified by name, veterans saluted.

“You don’t have to be a member of the Legion to order a brick,” Post Commander Bob Hatter said. “Anyone is welcome to honor a veteran or loved one.”

Post 180 accepts orders on a continuing basis.

The engraved brick installation was part of Post 180’s week-long recognition of Veterans’ Day. On Thursday, volunteers from the Auxiliary planted flags at the graves of veterans interred at Flint Hill Cemetery, from Civil War soldiers to Middle East veterans. Post 180 marks Veterans’ Day with a program at American Legion Hall on Center Street.



MOST PEOPLE or groups buy a paver brick to commemorate the life of a personal hero, from the soldiers who waded ashore Normandy beaches to the Post “Angel,” a former Post bartender, a kind and loving woman killed by her husband. For many, it is a way to contribute financially to Post 180, as well as to honor a veteran or other hero. The paver bricks read like an epitaph, the honoree’s name, service and battlefields.

“My dad was special to me and special for what he did during the war [World War II],” said Phil Hendrickson of Vienna. Hendrickson honored his father Homer, a first lieutenant who served under General George S. Patton. Homer Hendrickson lived in Vienna at the corner of Beulah and Old Courthouse roads, and died at age 50 in a plane crash. “The World War II vets are all leaving us,” said Phil Hendrickson. “I feel they are a part of our history.”

Sharon A. Sweeney’s brick is next to that of her father, Myron Jones of the U.S. Army, who fought in Korea. Sweeney bought Jones’ brick several years ago, and upon Sweeney’s death from cancer, close friend Colleen Walsh bought one in Sweeney’s memory. Sweeney served in the U.S. Army and was Post 180 commander from 1997-98.

Post Commander Bob Hatter’s father joined the U.S. Army cavalry as a young man and was commissioned prior to World War II. Bob Hatter Sr. served his country for 37 years, through Korea and beyond. “He loved horses,” said Bob Hatter Jr. “He spent most of his life in the army.”

An Army brat who followed his father’s footsteps into the Army, Bob Hatter Jr. served in Vietnam. Father and son each have their own bricks next to one another.

Jeanne Banks, a member of the Auxiliary, works at the Post. She bought a brick to honor her dad because she cannot get to Arlington National Cemetery often. “Now, he’ll always be here as part of us,” Banks said.

U.S. Army veteran and Vienna Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Mike Paruti honored his father Alex, a 20-year-career man who did two tours of Vietnam. Alex Paruti, still living, retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and his son thinks the paver bricks show appreciation to his dad and to veterans. Mike Paruti bought one for himself, as well, to help the Post. “The main thing about Veterans’ Day is remembrance,” said Mike Paruti. “We’re the greatest nation in the world, and it’s because of our veterans.”



THE PAVER BRICKS are 4” x 8” and each may be engraved with up to three lines of text for $50 each brick. Post 180 is continuing the sale of engraved paver bricks indefinitely.

Proceeds from the sales of the bricks benefit the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation and veterans’ hospitals. Last year, Post 180 provided the third largest donation, more than $8,000, to the Foundation.

On Veterans Day, at 11 a.m., in Post 180’s hall, American Legion members honored the fallen and the living veterans in their annual Veterans’ Day remembrance program. “On Veterans Day, we honor our vets that are still with us and those who have passed,” said Hatter. “We honor all who have served.”

For more information on buying an engraved paver brick, call Post 180 Commander, Bob Hatter Jr. at 703-926-8800 or e-mail him at W7MAE@aol.com. Individuals, businesses or groups can buy an inscribed brick. The pavers can be inscribed with a maximum of three lines, 12 characters per line. Make checks payable to Dyer Gunnell Post 180 at Dyer Gunnell American Legion Post 180, P.O. Box 495, Vienna, VA 22185.