The following letter concerning the June 28 services for Marine Staff Sergeant Stephen Wilson, a graduate of Liberty High School in Brentwood who was killed in action in Iraq last month, was forwarded to the Press by Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor. To the many people and organizations thanked in the letter for contributing to the services, the Mayor would like to add the letter's author, Fran Curtis.

Mayor Taylor:

The list of restaurants in our local community that came out in support of Staff Sgt. Stephen Wilson were: Schooner's in Antioch (Sean is always there for the community); Chili's (Sheri and the rest of management jumped right in); Aladino's of Brentwood served up some great pizza; Willy's Bagels and Blends delivered, as well as a group from Pleasanton called Sweet Sisters Cook for You, who brought salads.

I got a hold of Damin at Mimi's at the last minute and he asked no questions; Mimi's was in. The crew from Ribeye outdid themselves with their contribution. When I called and spoke with Pee Wee's, they weren't really sure what to contribute to the cause and then on the morning of the funeral, Pete Petrovich called and informed me that he would be doing up dogs and links on the barbecue and to "just make sure the side doors are open." Let me remind you, by noon it was scorchin' hot, but Pete was there.

A big thanks to my financial officer of the American Legion Riders of Brentwood, Kathy Hotz, who went to most of the restaurants and picked up the food contributed; several of my students in CCCOE Community Day school for helping the great ladies of the Blue Star Moms; the ladies from the American Legion Auxiliary, who set up in the morning; the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the youngest veteran group here in Brentwood, the Marine Corps League. Dale couldn't have done it without your assistance.

As president and founder of the Legion Riders Post 202 and a member of the Patriot Riders, I would like to personally thank first my wife, who keeps me fairly well straight when I am not politically correct; the 10 or 20 riders who came from all over Northern California to pay their respects to a fallen brother; and the Marine Corps honor guard that showed up to bury a student of mine.

We cannot forget to thank Cathy, who with her husband and friends got up at 4:30 in the morning and put out and picked up hundreds of flags along the procession route, as well as the neighbors who lined that route. To Tina and Carrie (and the rest of the crew) at the Brentwood Funeral Home, two ladies that went beyond their job to take care of a fallen hero.

And to you, Mr. Mayor, I hope it is the last time you and the rest of our representatives have to do what you did in paying your respects to the family of a local hero; you did it well.

Finally, to Staff Sergeant Steve Wilson: stand at ease, Marine. Your watch is over. Rest in peace and thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of giving your life for our freedom.

Fran Curtis