Coronado VFW Post 2422 Invites Public to Join In Remembering
and Honoring Our Veterans and Active Duty Military
CORONADO On Monday, May 26, hundreds of people will turn out to remember our veterans and honor our military at Memorial Day services, which will take place at Star Park Circle from 10-11am. The event, hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars (Coronado Post 2422), has become a cherished tradition in Coronado.
The ceremony seems to grow every year. Last year people were overflowing into the street as the mid-morning affair has turned into a gathering of children, parents and grandparents, and in some cases great grandparents, representing military duty dating back to World War II.
Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Turner, of Coronado VFW Post 2422, places a wreath at the foot of the American flag in salute to our veterans and active duty military. Memorial Day services take place from 10-11 a.m. this coming Monday, at Star Park. Photo by Mike Coleman.
In addition to VFW Coronado Post 2422, this special tribute is sponsored by the United States Navy League, Coronado Council, and Military Officers’ Assoication of America (Silver Strand Chapter).
Vice Admiral David Buss is this year’s speaker and guest of honor. Buss graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1978. He wears the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Distinguished Flying Cross (with Combat V), Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal (five individual, four strike/flight awards. Buss became Naval Aviation’s 6th “Air Boss” in October 2012.
Memorial Day services have become a family event, as multiple generations turn out to honor our veterans and active duty military. Photo by Joe Ditler.
This Memorial Day tribute takes place at Coronado’s Star Park from 10-11 a.m. There is parking on adjacent streets, but more and more people choose to walk or ride their bikes.
The ceremony will be called to order by VFW Cmdr. Chuck Lucas. Cadet Petty Officer First Class (NJROTC) Jacob Blauser will present the Colors and Michael Morgan will lead guests in the National Anthem. Mayor Casey Tanaka will read a Proclamation from the City of Coronado, and Navy Chaplain Lt. David Carlson will deliver the Benediction.
Coronado VFW Post 2422 will host Monday’s Memorial Day salute to our veterans and active military at Coronado’s Star Park Circle. The event takes place from 10-11 a.m. , and seniors are advised to arrive early to guarantee seating. There is usually plenty of parking, but walking and biking are encouraged. Photo by Joe Ditler.
A reading of the 23rd Psalm by retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mike Turner will be followed by an audience singing of “The Navy Hymn,” as led by Michael Morgan. At that point, Turner places a wreath at the foot of the memorial flagpole, and US Army Chaplain, Brigadier General Wayne Hoffmann recognizes veterans in attendance, who are asked to stand to represent their branch of the service.
Sergeant Major John Clampitt USMC (Ret) will deliver a dramatic reading of “General Logan’s General Order No. 11,” explaining the birth and history of Memorial Day. That first service was held May 5, 1866, and over so many years, decades and centuries, the spirit of Memorial Day has not been forgotten, even if the details of it might have faded a little with time.
A tree provided a bird’s eye view of Memorial Day services for this enterprising young man. Photo by Joe Ditler.
This well-orchestrated and evocative ceremony ends with a 21-gun rifle salute and the playing of Taps. Often the audience breaks into a moving rendition of “God Bless America” as Memorial Day ceremonies come to a close.
Behind the scenes, numerous individuals and groups work hard to make Memorial Day services so special. Among them are Boy Scout Troop 801, Troop 806, Coronado High School’s NJROTC, Marine Corp Band San Diego, and the Recruit Depot Honor Guard.
Following the Star Park salute everyone is invited to attend a floral tribute and light, complimentary lunch at the James and Gabi Styre Hurst VFW Hall, located at 557 Orange Avenue. While at the VFW Hall, visitors can take time to reflect on the Salute To Service Memorial Wall. Many Coronado veterans and veteran families have chosen to be remembered in this respectful tribute by securing their place, or that of a loved one, on the Memorial Wall.
For more information on the Coronado VFW Memorial Service May 26, or on the Service Memorial Wall, contact Michael Turner at (619) 865-4809 or [email protected].
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