The Division 1 TVHS Championship Soccer Team Gave Back To Temecula With A Day Of Service

TEMECULA, CA — The Path of Honor pavers inside the Veterans Memorial at the Temecula Duck Pond are getting a makeover thanks to groups of local volunteers. Over 50 student-athletes and coaches from the Temecula Valley High School girls soccer team were the first to volunteer their time to carefully repaint the names of veterans.

Still, with over 1,000 memorial bricks—many weathered and worn— the project has a long way to go.

The “Path of Honor” began with 116 pavers and is a way to thank local veterans for their service, and give to future service members, according to retired naval officer T. Michael Bircumshaw who runs the program. Anyone can purchase an etched memorial brick through the Path of Honor website, and a portion of the proceeds goes toward JROTC scholarships for area high school graduates.

Community Services Coordinator Tracy Courts discussed the paver repainting project with Patch.

“Around 200 pavers have been refreshed so far,” she said. The soccer team completed about 100 pavers and a small group of Public Works and Community Service employees did the rest over a day of service. Now, they are hoping more groups will volunteer to lend a hand for the remaining bricks.

Each paver tells a story of our area's service men and women. Volunteers are using specialized paint— obtained through the manufacturer by the city —to ensure each paver is legible. Many hands make light work in this labor of love project.

The TVHS girls soccer team wanted to give back to the community that supported their winning Division 1 State Championship run in 2022.

According to head coach Jennifer Guinn, with so many players’ family members having served in the armed forces, it was a natural fit.

Returning varsity player Annika Jost, a junior, shared the afternoon with friends and her sister, Bella, new to the varsity squad.

Their father is a United States Air Force veteran, and Annika has just committed to playing soccer for the USAF Academy. They shared their thoughts on spending a few hours repainting the names of soldiers from the Korean War.

“It means a lot to help renovate these stones so that the people who gave so much for our country aren’t forgotten,” Annika said.

Returning varsity player and TVHS senior Lorena Jimenez discussed her father, who still serves in the Air Force. She told Patch she was proud to do her part to honor service members as they traced names at the monument.

“My father is still active in the Air Force,” Lorena said. “It means a lot to help because the city asked us to help paint the names. We’ve been given a lot of trust to do this, and want to do our part.”

The city of Temecula’s Community Service department is still seeking groups of volunteers of 16 and up to help refresh the path.

The Temecula Valley High School Girls Soccer program has an open fundraiser to build on last year’s victories, according to the coaches. Learn more about the program.

For more information on how to help, email: tracy.courts@temeculaca.gov