INSPIRATIONAL

     These documents will consist of both video and published articles that will be uplifting and may contain some humor.  They are design to make us think most of all.  There will be no political satire or snide remarks.  If you desire that medium, there are the comics, newspaper columns, and political  punditry to satisfy your thrist.

      This page may not change every day but the intent is that it will change often.  Good inspiration is hard to find.  If you run across it, send it my way and we will share it with the world.

Chapter 49: Webmaster

1.

UPCOMING VISIT OF A RESTORED

B-29 BOMBER TO SAN DIEGO

     On March 11 -13, 2013, the B-29 Superfortress nicknamed "FIFI" has been fully restored to it previous WWII flying status.  The aircraft has a long history which can be view on its web site.  Now the aircraft will be touring San Diego on March 11th - March 13th at Brown Field; it will also appear at Palm Springs, CA, on March 14th - March 17th; at Camarillo, CA on March 18 - March 20; and at Burbank, CA, on March 21st - March 24th.

     The aircraft can be arranged for walking tours as well as "flight tours" around the surrounding areas.  Air tour for the B-29 range from $425 - $895 for a tour, depending on the flight position that you may choose.  For example, flying in the "Bombadier" seat, which is called the "best-seat-in-the-house," is the most expensive.  You are seated in a plexiglass enclosure, immediately below the pilot's cockpit.  You can feel the position where the Norden bomb sight was located, as well as the location for seeing the Zeros as they flew near by with guns blazing.

      For more information on the aircraft, the organization and the touring schedule, please see:  Click here .

       Flight of the B-29s: : Click here

Story updated:  17 January 2013: 12:30

 2.

 SUNNY JONES GOES ON 2nd ANNUAL PICNIC IN BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO

     It was another bright, blue-sky day in San Diego, CA, even though the early morning was cloudy and overcast.  No matter, the members of Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) was intent upon having a good time come rain or shine.  So arriving at the park by 08:30 for set-up was a little disconcerting when our chosen area was taken by a group associated with the Heart association.  So it meant we would have to move to another area (unfamiliar to our chapter) approximately 100 yards across the park.

      Working hard, the set-up crew had everything complete and ready to go by 10:00.  The crew had purple table clothes cut-to-measure, a table-setting for each picnic table and the food-serving areas were set up for the 11:00 a.m. arrival of members and their guest.  This effort was headed by Patriot Nick Pylypowycz (Nick) who, for the second year in a row, has performed admirably in preparing the "great spread" but also in organizing the total effort.  Patriot "Bo" Boyd performed exceptionally as Chef in manning the grill and helping with culinary duties. 

     Additionally,  a hearty thanks to Mrs. Charlotte Miller of the Ladies Auxiliary and Patriot Robert Quimby for showing up early to stake-out the area and tables.  These members were the "crew" that deserve an extra pat on the back for a job well done.

 Nick scurrying to check on last minutes preparations while Chef Bo (in the background) fires up and works the grill.  This was our food serving area.

 Chef "Bo" Boyd begins the magic.    Nick grabs a breather.

     "Hurry up, guys, it won't be long before the "thundering herd" arrives and... then the fun begins." Speaking of arrivals, here comes a few now.

      The late, great Patriot Allen Wissinger, Chapter 49 Service Officer.  Allen was the backbone of our chapter and has served in many roles, including Sr. Advisor to the prior Commander.

 Chapter Guests R-L: Ranicka Stone; Racari Stone; Mrs. Dorene LeCault; and Summer Stone.

    Chapter 49's Ladies Auxiliary with Chapter Banner.         Auxiliary L-R: Mrs. Charlotte Miller; Mrs. Julin Boyd; Mrs. Dorene LeCault; Mrs. Cora Adams; Mrs. Barbara Waller; Mrs. Laura Merrill; Mrs. Alice Barrett; and Mrs. J. Hernandez.

 Patriot Nick P. received a Certificate from Chapter 0049.

 Combining pleasure with business, Sr. Vice Commander Jack Harkins and Dept. Commander Gary Rutledge convene an abbreviate business meeting during the picnic.

 Torin is being presented with a Cert. of Recognition for his participation in the Poway Patriotic Parade which was con- ducted last weekend.

 A presentation to Patriot Andre LeCault for his participation in the Poway Patriotic Parade.

   Racari Stone and Patriot Ernest Collier of Chapter 0049

     So, in conclusion, I think everyone at the picnic had a wonderful time.  The weather was cooperative and, in fact, could not have been better.  The children were well behaved and the adults ... well, they were adults.

     Chapter 0049 will look forward to seeing you again at the 3rd Annual Sunny Jones Picnic.  This time, bring along a few more friends.  The more --  the merrier.

Ulysses Miller, Jr.

Adjutant/Webmaster                                                                 MOPH Chapter 0049

Story updated: 23 September 2011: 18:00

 .

TRIBUTE TO A "PATRIOT EMERITUS" IN CHAPTER 49

 Ernie "Sarge" Collier at MOPH Christmas Luncheon

    Ernie Collier passed away on February 17, 2013 while in residence at the La Jolla VAMC, San Diego, CA.  Ernie had been hospitalized several times in the pass 3.5 months and finally succumbed to an injury.

     Patriot Collier was the senior-most member of Chapter 0049.  He joined the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) on March 12, 1956 and continued his service and membership to the final days of his life.  He was also active as a member of the "Buffalo Soldier" (9th/10th Calvary), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and several other service organizations in the region.

     Except for the most recent years, Patriot Collier and his wife, Juanita (PNP of the Ladies Auxiliary), participated in Chapter 0049's annual Picnics in Balboa Park, the Chapter's annual Christmas Luncheons, the 2010 Rancho Bernardo Patriot's Day Parade, as well as, several San Diego Veterans' Day Parades.

     Being the senior-most member of the Chapter, Patriot Collier provided advice and counsel to officers and members alike on procedure and maintenance of our organization.  "Sarge" was an Army veteran of both WWII and Korea.  His presence will be sorely missed.  He was 91 years young.

     *See the attached .pdf file.  Click here

     **Also notice that there are additional pictures of Ernie at the picnic, immediately above this tribute.

      The "viewing" of Patriot Collier will be at Greenwood Memorial and Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA, on February 26, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. -  9:00 p.m.  A "rosary service" will be held at 7:00 p.m.

      The services will be at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 5109 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA  (corner of Euclid & Imperial Avenues).  The service date is 27 February 2013 at 10:00 a.m.  Internment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery at 4300 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA.

NOTE: All images are capable of being enlarged by moving your cursor to the bottom right of the picture - and then clicking on the (+) sign in the bottom right corner.  A separate window will be opened for viewing.

3.

TRIBUTE TO A MODERN-DAY PATRIOT

Patriot Stephen R. Marquart, a member of Chapter 0049 since May 2009, passed away recently in a peaceful sleep.  SP-5 Marquart was an Army construction engineer who served with 27th Land Clearing Task Force in Vietnam and was a genuine hero who earned several combat medals, including the Purple Heart w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster.

Patriot Marquart will be laid to rest on February 1, 2013 at Fort   Rosecrans, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego, CA.  Services will be conducted promptly at 12:00 p.m.

A repast will follow at the Naval Submarine Base, (Oceanview facility), at the end of Rosecrans Street, San Diego, CA

Story updated:  22 Jan. 2013: 17:00

 3A.

THE "GREATEST UNTOLD STORY OF 9/11/2001" (To Date)

     Out of all the information coming out of the 9/11/2001 event, here is information about the rescue of nearly 900,000 people off the island of Manhattan, exclusively by water.

     This rescue would be the largest sea evacuation in history.  Even the evacuation of Dunkirk during WWII only involved 339,000 British and French soldiers and that took 9 days.  The 9/11 evacuation of Manhattan Island involved nearly 500,000 civilians and was completed in less than 9 hours.

     Where has this story been??  It is the "greatest example" of Americans seeing a need and acting to help in the fulfillment of a mission.

Click here to view.

Story updated: 11 Oct. 2011: 15:00

SUNNY JONES' 2ND ANNUAL PICNIC IN BALBOA PARK SD - CA

    Photos to accompany story.

L-R: Patriot Andre LeCault and Department of California Commander, Gary Rutledge introduces themselves at the picnic.  A note of introduction:  Andre LeCault is new to Chapter 49, yet, last weekend he accompanied and participated in the Poway Patriotic Parade.  This weekend he is present at the Chapter Picnic.  Kudos, sir.

Gary Rutledge is the California Dept. Commander for 2011-2012.  Having taken office in April 2011, Commander Rutledge came to visit one of 23 chapters in his Department. Welcome, Commander.

Patriot Rodney Barrett with Cmdr. Rutledge and wife.

          Another view.

 Charlotte and Julin Boyd enjoy a moment away from kitchen duty.

 Patriots Joseph Guerra and Robert Hernandez and wife arrives at picnic.

Patriot (Emeritus) Ernest Collier. Patriot Collier,affectionately known as "Sarge," is the oldest member of the Chapter.  Sarge was a member of the 9th Division of the group called the Buffalo Soldier.

 Patriot Joe Guerra receives his State Senate Cert. of Recognition for the Poway Patriotic Parade.

 Associate Member, Torin Merrill is the grandson of Cmdr. J. Petrini.

 A presentation of a Cert. of Recognition for Poway Patriotic Parade.

 Sr. Vice Commander Jack Harkins following the business meeting.

 Ladies Auxiliary members: L-R, Mrs. Laura Merrill and Mrs. Alice Barrett.

Summer Stone and Patriot Collier.

ERNEST H. COLLIER, A  STOUT-HEARTED CITIZEN & PATRIOT

     A bevy of San Diego patriotic citizens, military organizations, civic groups, and ordinary citizenry paid their respects to a "stout- hearted" patriot named Ernie Collier.  Mr. Collier was heavily involved with a myriad of civic, patriotic and military groups in the community.  He gave freely and willing to all and he made a marked difference in the community called Southeast San Diego.

     A fond farewell on your trip to heavenly rewards.  You have served long and well.

     Members of Chapter 0049, Military Order of the Purple Heart

Click here for Obit:

Click here for U-T San Diego: dated 01 March 2013.

Ulysses Miller, Jr.

Adjutant/Webmaster                                                                 MOPH Chapter 0049

Story updated: 01 March 2013: 16:00

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