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 NOTICE:  The Sunny Jones Chapter of the MOPH has move its meeting place to:

The Veterans Museum and Memorial Center (VMMC)

2115 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA  92101

Telephone: (619) 239-2300

** Meeting will be held the first Saturday of each month, excepting the month of September 2011.  Please join us at 12:00 p.m., each meeting Saturday, for comradeship and to find out what is happening in the veteran community that you should know about.

Information updated:   02 January 2012: 11:19

 Please click on the Yahoo! Calendar and view the information of January 28, 2012 

Story updated:  03 January 2012: 12:30

SAN DIEGO'S VETERAN WREATH CEREMONY: USS MIDWAY

     On May 28, 2011, the USS Midway played host to a veterans wreath remembrance ceremony for the fifth consecutive year.  A record crowd of approximately 596 patriotic citizens met on the flight deck  of the old aircraft carrier (now a museum) at 09:00 a.m. for the ceremony.  The ceremony is designed to encourage family attendance as a way to inspire patriotism and appreciation for those who have served and are serving the nation.

     Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart was asked to provide 5 recipients of the Purple Heart from the following wars:  World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the current wars in Iraq/Afghanistan.  The chapter sent Patriot George Pappas as our WWII representative; Dr. Ki Kim as the Korean War representative; Patriot Charles Del Castillo as the Vietnam representative; and Patriot William McLeroy as the Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom representative.  Along with each chapter member's involvement, there was an active duty member from the the current period and a child chosen out of the audience to help in the pitching of the wreath over the side of the ship.  Imagine, if you are between the ages of 7 years old and 11 years old, having an adult approach you and ask if you will volunteer to stand before an audience of 600 people and do something that you have never conceived before.  Well, that  is what the young audience members experienced on Saturday morning.

     Among Chapter 0049 members participating in the ceremony were: L-R: Ulysses Miller, Adjutant; Mrs. J. Petrini, LAMOPH President; Torin Merrill, Associate Member; Joseph Petrini, Commander; George Pappas, Patriot; William McLeroy, Patriot; Charles Del Castillo, Patriot; and Jack Harkins, Sr. Vice Commander.

    The morning was started off by East Lake High School choir from Chula Vista, CA, who provided musical entertainment before and after the ceremony.  It was acknowledged that many of the students from the south bay were children of active duty members or had relatives on active duty.  Their voices brighten the slightly overcast morning.

         Midway: Scott McGaugh                                             VFW: Bill Paxton

     The USS Midway's Marketing Director, Scott McGaugh, served as the Master of Ceremonies and was ably-assisted by the VFW's Bill Paxton who provided both a dramatic and stirring presentation as the Inspirational Speaker.  The Marine 1st Sergeant still knows how to command an audience.

Patriot Ki Kim and Mrs. Kim listen        Adm. John Sadler of U. S. Naval Air Force. intently to the presentations.  
The Chapter Patriots, Active Duty members, and young Volunteers as they are called up to cast the "remembrance wreaths" over the side.

 WWII wreath representatives.                   Watching the wreath fall into the bay.

Patriot Kim representing Korean vets.     Patriot Castillo representing Vietnam.

Two Active-duty men represent Desert        Two Active Duty men and young        Storm along with young volunteer.                  volunteer represent Iraq/Afghan.

Concluding picture of Distinguished Service personnel at ceremony.

Story updated: 29 May 2011: 13:29

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