CORONADO VFW TO HOST LARGE
MEMORIAL DAY GATHERING
By Joe Ditler
This year Memorial Day will take on a whole new emphasis in Coronado as the local chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars invites all of San Diego to participate in their Memorial Day ceremony May 31.
“In time of war we often direct individual thoughts and prayers to our servicemen and women overseas,” said Michael Turner, spokesman for the Coronado VFW.” This year we invite everyone to join us as a group to pay homage to veterans past and present on this very special day.”
The Memorial Day celebration takes place May 31 at Star Park in Coronado, located just a block off the main street, at the intersections of Star Park Circle, Loma Avenue, Park Place and Flora Avenue. Parking is free.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and last roughly one hour. Guest speakers from various branches of service will be on hand, as well as a guest chaplain. A military color guard will present the flag and a lone bugler will sound taps before the large crowd gathered at Star Park.
Typically the guest list includes former prisoners of war, military heroes and high-ranking officers from the area, many who serve as guest speakers.
Coronado VFW Post 2422 unveiled a new Salute To Service Memorial last year, allowing veterans and active duty personnel to honor their families on etched memorial tiles that include names, branch and dates of service and rank. The Memorial also includes a Heroes section and a SEAL Team section.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars can trace its roots back to 1899. By 1915 national membership had grown to 5,000. By 1936 it was nearly 200,000. Today there are more than 2.2 million members around the world.
For information on the Coronado VFW Memorial Service May 31, or on the Salute To Service Wall, contact Michael Turner at (619) 865-4809 or [email protected].
Hundreds of people gather each year to commemorate Memorial Day in Coronado.
This year the tribute is open to all of San Diego. Photo by Joe Ditler.
Mike Turner of the Coronado VFW demonstrates one of the Salute To Service
Memorial plaques available to veterans and active duty military and their families.
The Memorial has been extremely well received throughout the community.
Two special sections focus on SEAL Team and Heroes. Photo by Joe Ditler.
