A large crowd turned out at Coronado’s VFW Post 2422 on Memorial Day to witness the unveiling of their new Salute to Service Memorial. Photo by Mike Coleman. CORONADO The Veterans of Foreign Wars Coronado Post 2422 hosted more than 400 people this Memorial Day for the unveiling of their long-awaited, James & Gabi Styer Hurst Salute to Service Memorial. Guests in attendance included Sybil Stockdale, wife of the late Admiral James B. Stockdale. Also in attendance was Vice Admiral Edward Martin, who was confined with Admiral Stockdale in a Vietnamese POW camp from 1967-73. Speakers for the event included Admiral Leon “Bud” Edney, USN (RET) and Commander Paul M. Williams, Chief of Staff, Tactical Group One, United States Navy. The VFW Salute to Service Memorial project consists of three polished block walls and memorial tiles designed to honor service members past and present. Laser-etched memorial tiles honor service members with name, branch of service, rank, and dates of service. The dedication and unveiling immediately followed the Military Color Guard’s presentation of the Colors. Post Commander Chuck Lucas read the Roll of Honor (top tiles) as they were unveiled, followed by a dedication and unveiling of the remainder of the memorial tribute. Among those on the Roll of Honor are James Stockdale, Henry D. Styer, Michael Monsoor, George Freese Sr., Edward Martin, Harry Jenkins Jr., William Nystul, Bill Stark, Ernesto Merlo, Michael Thornton, and Jason Freiwald. Memorial tiles are still available. They sell for $100 to VFW members and families, and $150 to all others. For more information contact Mike Turner at (619) 865-4809 or [email protected].
