East Bay Man Launches Campaign To Remember Fallen Soldiers

DISCOVERY BAY (KCBS) – Some specially-designed banners flying in Discovery Bay are part of a campaign to help the public remember those who gave their lives fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

21-year-old Army Specialist Joseph Graves was on an escort mission in Baghdad when his unit was ambushed in 2006. He was the only casualty.

Graves was assigned to the 110th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:

His father, Kevin Graves of Discovery Bay, continues to cope with his son's death and has started a non-profit group called "Some Gave All" – the Joey Graves Foundation.

"One of the ways that I found is the best way for me to cope with the loss and the void in my life is to help others heal," he said.

Graves said 26 banners are attached to lamp posts in Discovery Bay. Each bares a picture, brief bio and the circumstances of death for the military personnel – most of whom resided in Northern California.

"We would really like to help every family in Northern California have the opportunity to have their hero honored this way," Graves said.

The organization is also reaching out to Gold Star parents, parents whose military sons or daughters were killed while serving their country.

Graves said Gold Star families are the "hidden casualties of war."

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