Honoring Sons and Daughters in Harm's Way

When longtime Pacifica resident Dot Bolton came home from Fort Polk, Louisiana, visiting her grandson Joe Quirarte in the service, she had an idea. She saw a photographic display at a church there during Easter time, honoring service men and women in the community, and thought, “‘Why I could do this in Pacifica,’” she said.

That was five years ago, and the poster is still prominently on view at St. Peter Catholic Church in Pacifica, featuring the service men and women who are friends and family of Pacifica residents.

Bolton asks Pacifica residents and St. Peter’s parishioners for the names of their relatives who are serving in the military so that people can pray for each and every one of them. She then adds people and takes them off the board as they get out of the service.

“Luckily we’ve not had any deaths,” she said. “We now have a church bulletin, and I also have the names put in there. A lot of the boys were in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we pray for them and for all people serving our country at every mass.”

Bolton’s daughter, Debbie, also supports the troops, heading up Coastside Military Moms, a support group for families with members serving in the armed forces. The group is a nonprofit that accepts tax deductible donations and sends care packages and supplies to service men and women around the world. A list of items to donate can be found here.

The two also help welcome local troops home and send them off.

“We pray for their safety and for their safe return wherever they are stationed,” said Bolton.

If you have a family member you wish to add to the St. Peter’s display, please contact Dot Bolton at 650-359-3578.

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