The USS Midway played host to a veterans wreath remembrance ceremony for a record crowd of approximately 596 patriotic citizens. They 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. Along with each chapter member’s involvement, there was an active duty member from 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.

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.

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.

The USS Midway’s Marketing Director, Scott McGaugh, served as the Master of Ceremonies and was assisted by the VFW’s Bill Paxton.

Bill provided both a dramatic and stirring presentation as the Inspirational Speaker. The Marine 1st Sergeant still knows how to command an audience.