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Rockwall County approves $10,000 to support new Veterans Memorial foundation
Summary
The commissioners voted unanimously to provide a one‑time $10,000 contribution to the newly formed Rockwall County Veterans Memorial Foundation to prepare concrete pads for a proposed memorial brick garden, while the foundation will cover engraved bricks and installation.
The Rockwall County Commissioners Court voted 5‑0 on March 24 to provide $10,000 to the Rockwall County Veterans Memorial Foundation to help replace three failing grass terraces with a memorial brick garden at the Yellowjacket ("Big") Courthouse. The foundation will donate and place engraved bricks; the county’s contribution is intended to fund concrete slabs, site prep and contingencies.
David Peake, introduced to the court as county treasurer and a veteran, told commissioners the memorial—originally championed by local veterans and dedicated on Nov. 11, 2011—has been under‑maintained in recent years and shows signs of deterioration such as settling terraces, stained concrete and missing trees. Peake said the foundation was formally registered as a Texas nonprofit in December 2025 and had already replaced a missing tree and done pressure washing as an early effort.
The foundation’s primary proposal is to replace the three grass terraces with a permanent brick garden where community members may purchase engraved bricks to honor living or deceased service members. Peake told the court that two years earlier county leaders funded the memorial’s original construction—about $499,000—and that subsequent additions have been privately donated. The foundation asked the court to cover the county portion of the hardscape work (concrete slabs), estimating the slabs and prep at about $6,200 and requesting $10,000 to cover unknowns.
County staff said the cost could be charged to existing community events or unfunded Veterans Memorial line items within general government, and commissioners agreed funding need not be resolved at the presentation but expressed broad support. Commissioner Gallano moved to fund the project with $10,000 from community budget lines; Commissioner Stacy seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Next steps include staff processing the payment and the foundation coordinating brick design, ordering and installation logistics with county maintenance and the auditor’s office. Peake said the foundation will keep the court informed as the project advances.
